Page:O Genteel Lady! (1926).pdf/162



thought she had seen a ghost. It was Pauline standing in the sad dusk of dawn telling her to quiet herself.

'You mean something terrible has happened? Oh, do be quick! I cannot bear suspense, Pauline.'

'From your Papa.'

'Then he is not dead. Tell me quickly, Pauline.'

'I beg you to relax. I am trying to tell you. A letter to me from your Papa tells me to break the news to you—that...' she consulted her letter—'on the ninth of February in Florence...your mamma...perished...fever...very sudden.'

'You mean Mamma is dead?'

'Yes...that is, her mortal body...'

It seemed as incredible as the diminishment of the sun, or the glutting of the moon. Mamma was so alive, she doubted if anything could subdue her, not even the angel of death. Lanice did not cry. She was too stunned, but her stoniness baffled Pauline, who had stuffed the pocket of her grey wrapper full of handkerchiefs after Mrs. Andrews had given over to her the letter.

'You must not take it too hard.'

'No.'

'I will send up some coffee—tea—chocolate?'