Elizabeth Wheeler was an unconscious party to the division. It was, in

a way, her battle they were fighting. And Elizabeth had gone over to the

enemy.

Late that afternoon Ann Sayre had her first real talk with Wallie since

Dick's return. She led him out onto the terrace, her shoulders militant

and her head high, and faced him there.

"I can see you are not going to talk to me," she said. "So I'll talk to

you. Has Dick Livingstone's return made any change between Elizabeth and

you?"

"No."

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"She's just the same to you? You must tell me, Wallace. I've been

building so much."

She realized the change in him then more fully than ever for he faced

her squarely and without evasion.

"There's no change in her, mother, but I think you and I will both have

to get used to this: she's not in love with me. She doesn't pretend to

be."

"Don't tell me it's still that man!"

"I don't know." He took a turn or two about the terrace. "I don't think

it is, mother. I don't think she cares for anybody, that way, certainly

not for me. And that's the trouble." He faced her again. "If marrying

me isn't going to make her happy, I won't hold her to it. You'll have to

support me in that, mother. I'm a pretty weak sister sometimes."

That appeal touched her as nothing had done for a long time. "I'll help

all I can, if the need comes," she said, and turned and went heavily

into the house.




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