In about three months he'll hate the very sight of you,
and then where'll you be?"
When she made no reply, he called to the dog and went out into the
yard. She saw him there, brooding and sullen, and she knew that
he had not finished. He would say no more to her, but he would
wait and have it out with Willy himself.
Supper was silent. No one ate much, and Ellen, coming down with
the tray, reported Mrs. Boyd as very tired, and wanting to settle
down early.
"She looks bad to me," she said to Edith. "I think the doctor
ought to see her."
"I'll go and send him."
Edith was glad to get out of the house. She had avoided the
streets lately, but as it was the supper hour the pavements were
empty. Only Joe Wilkinson, bare-headed, stood in the next doorway,
and smiled and flushed slightly when he saw her.
"How's your mother?" he asked.
"She's not so well. I'm going to get the doctor."
"Do you mind if I get my hat and walk there with you?"
"I'm going somewhere else from there, Joe."
"Well, I'll walk a block or two, anyhow."
She waited impatiently. She liked Joe, but she did not want him
then. She wanted to think and plan alone and in the open air,
away from the little house with its odors and its querulous
thumping cane upstairs; away from Ellen's grim face and Dan's
angry one.
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