The Three Sisters
May Sinclair
The Three Sisters LVI
But one day in April, in the fourth year of her marriage, Mary sent for Gwenda.
She found her in Rowcliffe's study, the room that she knew better than any other in his house. The window was closed. The panes cut up the colors of the orchard and framed them in small squares.
Mary received her with a gentle voice and a sof tenderness. She said very little. They had tea together, and when Gwenda would have Mary kept her.
She still said very little. She seemed to brood over some happy secret.
Presently she spoke. She told her secret.
And when she had told it she turned her eyes to Gwenda a look of subtle penetration and of triumph.
"At last," she said,--"After three years."
And she added, "I knew you would be glad."
"I _am_ glad," said Gwenda.
She _was_ glad. She was determined to be glad. She looked glad. And she kissed Mary and said again that she was very glad.
But as she walked back the four miles up Garthdale under Karva, she felt an aching at her heart which was odd considering how glad she was.
She said to herself, "I _will_ be glad. I want Mary to be happy. Why shouldn't I be glad? It's not as if it could make any difference."