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Her father was standing in thestreet His cab was turning the corner below, showing that he had been standing there for longer than a minute She watched him with interest What had happened in the street to hold his interest so closely? It was Jane who opened the door and let him in As she kissed his cold cheek she noticed the frown on his brow and caught the strange glea was less warm than usual, and he went to his roo his hat or coat below But not before he sent a quick, keen glance about the drawing-roole visitor of the afternoon

"Where is yourback

"She has just gone to her rooh her veins Soe, unnatural impulse compelled her to add, as if the explanation were just and necessary: "We have had a lot of people in drinking tea, and mother has a headache"

She watched hi-room The door closed sharply and a wave of inexplicable relief rushed over her Her hands were cold She went to the fireplace and held them out to the blaze Her ears were alert for sounds froe fear which choked her with its persistence She dreaded the opening of her father's door and his footsteps as they crossed to her mother's room She waited for these sounds, minute after ive warmth to her hands; the chill seeedy was just begun