"We'll have to get you well," said Mrs. Williams in a practical, cheerful voice. And then she abruptly left the room. Her heart was beating too fast.
Mrs. Hughes lay in wait for her as she came downstairs. "May I speak to you, Mrs. Williams?" she asked in a manner at once deferential and firm.
"She's to be taken away, isn't she?" she inquired in a hard voice.
For a moment Mrs. Williams did not speak. She looked at the woman before her, all tightened up with outraged virtue. And then she heard herself saying: "No, I think it will be better for Lily to remain at home." After she had heard herself say it she had that feeling that her knees were about to give way.
For an instant Mrs. Hughes' lips shut tight. Then, "Do you know what's the matter with her?" she demanded in that sharp, hard voice.
"Yes," replied Mrs. Williams, "I know."
"And you're going to keep such a person in your house?"
"Yes."
"Then you can't expect me to stay in your house!" flashed the woman who was outraged.
"As you like, Mrs. Hughes," was the answer.