"Perhaps she did not realize that so many of her relations would go to call on her."
"She knew we would do our duty. She had no right to make it so uncomfortable."
She may have thought she had a right to make it impossible, thought Mary. Here for once she agreed with Ursula. She tried to change the conversation. There were two topics she especially wished to avoid—Ursula and socialism. She tried to escape from one without encountering the other. If only she had had time to warn David not to air his views in company!
"Were the roads very bad?" she asked.
Sarah ignored her efforts.
"Naturally," she continued, determined to air her grievance, "she must realize that we take an interest in the only child in that generation of Robsons."
"Of course."
"And naturally she realizes that we are glad for her to take every precaution."
Mary resigned herself to the inevitable. At least this could hurt no one but herself.
"It will be a comfort to know that Middlethorpe at least won't pass in to the hands of strangers when Foster dies," continued Sarah.