Mrs. Daughtry’s smile was radiant; indeed, her whole face shone with pure, disinterested happiness in her dear friend’s recovery. Theo wondered that Mrs. Everleigh should be so unmoved.
But she was. She could even be so unfeeling as to say, ‘The morning has turned cold, and I am chilled to the bone. I had better go inside.’ Having said as much, in her usual cool tones, she made the barest of curtsies in Theo’s general direction, and retreated.
Mrs. Daughtry watched her go, her shoulders drooping.
Theo shook his head. ‘I thought you said you were friends?’
Mrs. Daughtry hesitated. ‘I fear that she— has come to dislike me.’
‘Dislike you?’ Theo said. How could that be? Mrs. Daughtry was sweetness itself!
‘Oh, do not blame her!’ she cried. ‘She was so long away from the stage, you see. O
