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"No one could be more in earnest than he is; but Ephie only makes fun of him, in a heartless way. She won't see what a grave matter it is to him." Mrs. Cayhill laughed, not at all displeased. "Young people will be young people. You can't put old heads on young shoulders, Joan, or shut them up in separate houses. Ephie is an extremely pretty girl, and it will be the same wherever we go.
Well, make haste now what is it?" "It's Ephie, mother. I am not easy about her lately. I don't think she can be well. She is so unlike herself." "Really, Joan," said Mrs. Cayhill, laughing with an exaggerated carelessness. "I think I should be the first to notice if she were sick. But you like to make yourself important, that's what it is, and to have a finger in every pie.
The senior, an old, white-haired man, with a benevolent face, did not look up; but after she had stood hesitating for some minutes, an under-secretary solemnly laid down his pen, and coming to the counter, wished in English to know what he could do for her. Growing very red, Ephie asked him if he "would ... could ... would please tell her where Mr. Schilsky lived."
They think so... so" Johanna hesitated for a word "so laxly on earnest subjects. And it is telling on Ephie Look, for instance, at Mr. Dove! I don't want to say anything against him, in particular. He is really more serious than the rest. But for some time now, he has been making himself ridiculous," Johanna had blushed for Dove on the occasion of his last visit.
"Ephie, I don't like to hear you repeat such foolish gossip," said Johanna in real distress. "And if you can understand and remember a word like that, you might really take more pains with your German. It is not impossible for you to learn, you see." "Joan the preacher, and Joan the teacher, and Joan the wise old bird," sang Ephie, and laughed. "I think Mrs. Tully is real kind.
"Well, at least unlock your door," begged Johanna, with visions of the dark practices which Ephie, the soul of candour, might be contemplating on the other side. "I will not come in, I promise you," she added. "Oh, all right," said Ephie crossly.
For, after his one encounter with Ephie and Schilsky, in the woods that summer, and the first firing of his suspicions, he had seen nothing else to render him uneasy; a few weeks later, Ephie had gone to Switzerland, and, on her return in September, or almost directly afterwards three or four days at most Schilsky had taken his departure.
Tully sat on a small sofa, with her arm round Ephie's waist: they were the centre of the group, and it did not appear likely that Maurice would get an opportunity of speaking to Ephie in private. She was in high spirits, and had only a saucy greeting for him. He sat down beside Johanna, and waited, ill at ease.
But, a moment after, she was grave and quiet altogether unlike herself. "Are you not enjoying yourself, Ephie?" "No, I'm not. I think it's stupid. And they're all so fat." This referred to the singers, and was indisputable; Maurice could only agree with her, and try to rally her. Meanwhile, he continued surreptitiously to scour the hall, with an evergrowing sense of disappointment.
What big words you love to use, Joan! You let Ephie be. She grows prettier every day, and she's a favourite wherever she goes." "That's another thing. Her head is being turned, and she will soon be quite spoilt. She begins to like the fuss and attention so well that " "You had your chances too, Joan. You needn't be jealous." Johanna had heard this remark too often to be sensitive to it.
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