Page 51 (1/2)

“I think that will do for today,” Aed your s, Helen?”

“No, I think I will leave them, Amy Toby is certain to make a fuss if I buy more than one pair”

“If Toby can find the money for a dentist who uses ether, then you can certainly have s!” Amy retorted sharply

“Amy, he’s not as bad as you think”

“He is, Helen” A Usually she displayed more tact

Helen chewed her lip, giving her sister a guilty glance “I know he’s not perfect,” she said tentatively, “but I haven’t always been the perfect wife, either”

“Nonsense,” Amy retorted, still with less than her usual discretion “You are far too good for him, Helen He is a fortunate man to have you”

Helen’s eyes widened and, to Francesca’s horror, filled with tears “You don’t understand I’ve been a very bad wife to Toby I don’t kno he puts up with me”

“Helen?” Aasped, as shocked as Francesca “What do you mean?”

Helen had a hectic flush in her cheeks “It was years ago,” sheherself with her hand, “and I promised I would never speak of it, so I’m afraid I cannot”

“Pro about?”

“Toby and William,” Helen said, and then shook her head and closed her lips firmly, as if she had said too much

“You really are infuriating, Helen” Ahed “And no matter what you say, I shall never believe you have done anything bad”

But Helen didn’t answer her, and the journey back to the Russell house in Queen’s Square seemed an anticlimax after the excitement of the day

“I wonder what on earth Helen believes she did that was so terrible she must never speak of it,”