"He ought to know it!"
"But, Joan, you were so frightened when he had that attack last Christmas."
"That was a real one," said Joan decidedly.
"Oh well, dearest—but never mind, I'm all right again now—run away, my lamb. Miss Rodney must have come; it's past lesson time."
"Are you sure you're all right?" said Joan doubtfully.
Mrs. Ogden leant back in the chair and gazed pensively out of the window. "My little Joan," she murmured.
Joan trembled, a great tenderness took hold of her. She stooped and kissed her mother's hand lingeringly.
But as the sisters stood in the hall outside, Joan looked even paler than usual, her face was a little pinched, and there was a curious expression in her eyes.
"Oh, Joan, it was jolly of you," Milly began.
Joan pushed her roughly. "You're a poor thing, Milly."