"The air would rest you."
"Not today, dear," Marcia said with finality. "I have some mending to do and lots of other little things that I have been saving up for a long time. Since I prefer to stay, why don't you tramp up the shore and see My Unknown Lady? She is beautiful and you haven't seen her yet."
"I'd love to—if I cannot coax you to go out."
"You can't. I'm adamant on not stirring out of this room."
"Well, if your mind is made up to that extent, I suppose there is no use in my trying to change it. I would like to see the boat."
"I'm sure you would. Stay as long as you like. There will be nothing to do here. Somebody ought to enjoy the sunshine and blue sky. Mr. Heath will probably sleep and in the meantime I shall get my sewing done."
As Marcia spoke the words, her mind was busy.
So Sylvia had not stirred from the kitchen on the previous afternoon! The theft of the jewels must, then, have taken place during the night.
Nevertheless, she was puzzled, for she had no memory of finding anything awry when she came down at sunrise to lay the fire.
Moreover, she now recalled she had been in the kitchen several times during the night, heating soup and getting water for Stanley Heath.