"No stronger to-day?" said he.
"She won't go into the country, Mr. Digby," said Rotha.
"You may go and get a walk at least, my child," Mrs. Carpenter said. "Ask Mrs. Cord to be so kind as to take you. Now while Mr. Digby is here, I shall not be alone. Can you stay half an hour?" she asked him suddenly.
He gave ready assent; and Rotha, weary of her cooped-up life, eagerly sought Mrs. Cord and went off for her walk. Mrs. Carpenter and Mr. Digby were left alone.
"I am not stronger," the former began as the house door closed. "I am losing strength, I think, every day. I wanted to speak to you; and it had better be done at once."
She paused, and he waited. The trickle of the water from the pump came to her ear again, stirring memories oddly.
"You asked me the other day, whether I had no friends in the city. I told you I had not. I told you the truth, but not the whole truth. Before Rotha I could not say all I wished. I have a sister living in New York."
"A sister!" Mr. Digby echoed the word in great surprise. "She knows of your being here?"
"She does not."
"Surely she ought to know."