XXXI

           ThesoundofMissPainter’slatch-keymadeherstart.Shewasstillabundleofquiveringfearstowhomeachcomingmomentseemedamenace.

           Therewasaslightinterval,andasoundofvoicesinthehall;thenMissPainter’svigoroushandwasonthedoor.

           Annastoodupasshecamein.“You’vefoundhim?”

           “I’vefoundSophy.”

           “AndOwen?—hassheseenhim?Ishehere?”

           “She’shere:inthehall.Shewantstospeaktoyou.”

           “Here—now?”Annafoundnovoiceformore.

           “Shedrovebackwithme,”MissPaintercontinuedinthetoneofimpartialnarrative.“Thecabmanwasimpertinent.I’vegothisnumber.”Shefumbledinastoutblackreticule.

           “Oh,Ican’t—”brokefromAnna;butshecollectedherself,rememberingthattobetrayherunwillingnesstoseethegirlwastoriskrevealingmuchmore.

           “Shethoughtyoumightbetootiredtoseeher:shewouldn’tcomeintillI’dfoundout.”

           Annadrewaquickbreath.Aninstant’sthoughthadtoldherthatSophyVinerwouldhardlyhavetakensuchastepunlesssomethingmoreimportanthadhappened.“Askhertocome,please,”shesaid.

           MissPainter,fromthethreshold,turnedbacktoannounceherintentionofgoingimmediatelytothepolicestationtoreportthecabman’sdelinquency;thenshepassedout,andSophyVinerentered.

           Thelookinthegirl’sfaceshowedthatshehadindeedcomeunwillingly;yetsheseemedanimatedbyaneagerresolutenessthatmadeAnnaashamedofhertremors.