CHAPTER XXXV

ewhoknownothingabouthumannature,whoareboredbypsychology—andshockedbyphysiology,whoaskit.Howeverpiteoushersister’sstate,sheknewthatshemustbeonherside.Theywouldbemadtogetheriftheworldchosetoconsiderthemso. Itwasnowfiveminutespastthree.Thecarsloweddownbythefarm,intheyardofwhichMissAverywasstanding.Henryaskedherwhetheracabhadgonepast.Shenodded,andthenextmomenttheycaughtsightofit,attheendofthelane.Thecarransilentlylikeabeastofprey.SounsuspiciouswasHelenthatshewassittingintheporch,withherbacktotheroad.Shehadcome.Onlyherheadandshoulderswerevisible.Shesatframedinthevine,andoneofherhandsplayedwiththebuds.Thewindruffledherhair,thesunglorifieditshewasasshehadalwaysbeen. Margaretwasseatednexttothedoor.Beforeherhusbandcouldpreventher,sheslippedout.Sherantothegardengate,whichwasshut,passedthroughit,anddeliberatelypusheditinhisface.ThenoisealarmedHelen.Margaretsawherrisewithanunfamiliarmovement,and,rushingintotheporch,learntthesimpleexplanationofalltheirfears—hersisterwaswithchild. “Isthetruantallright?”calledHenry. Shehadtimetowhisper:“Oh,mydarling—”Thekeysofthehousewereinherhand.SheunlockedHowardsEndandthrustHelenintoit.“Yes,allright,”shesaid,andstoodwithherbacktothedoor.