MARIE sang a little snatch of song as she went back to Miss Chester; she had not felt so lighthearted for many a day.
"I'm going into the country with Mr. Dakers to-morrow." she said. "Think of it—a whole day in the country! Won't it be lovely?"
Miss Chester looked up with shrewd eyes.
"You talk as if you have never had the opportunity before," she said. "The car is always here—you might spend all your time in the country if you chose, Marie."
"I know—I suppose it never occurred to me."
Miss Chester knitted a row without speaking, then she said gently:
"Dear child, do you think Chris would be quite pleased if he knew you were running about London with his friends like this?"
Marie swung round as if she had been struck.
"What do you mean. Aunt Madge?" Her voice was defiant, but the old lady went on insistently without raising her eyes:
"I know things have progressed since I was a girl, but if I were a man I should not care for my wife to have men friends, as you seem to have."