“ It’s not heaven she wants to get—it’s her fair share on earth,” retorted Clara. She spoke as if he were responsible for some deprivation which Miss Bonford suffered.
“ Well,” he said, “I thought she was warm, and awfully nice—only too frail. I wished she was sitting comfortably in peace—”
“‘ Darning her husband’s stockings,’” said Clara scathingly.
“ I’m sure she wouldn’t mind darning even my stockings,” he said. “And I’m sure she’d do them well. Just as I wouldn’t mind blacking her boots if she wanted me to.”
But Clara refused to answer this sally of his. He talked to Miriam for a little while. The other woman held aloof.
“ Well,” he said, “I think I’ll go and see Edgar. Is he on the land?”
“ I believe,” said Miriam, “he’s gone for a load of coal. He should be back directly.
