IV

In front of his own house George saw a tradesman’s coupe of the superior, discreet sort, with a smart horse (the same being more ‘distinctive’ than motor-traction), a driver liveried in black, and the initials of the firm in a restrained monogram on the doors.  He thought:  “She’s blueing money again.  Of course it’s her own, but—­” He was extremely sardonic.  In the drawing-room he found not only Lois but Laurencine and an attentive, respectful, bright-faced figure rather stylishly dressed in black.  This last was fastening a tea-gown on the back of pale Lois, who stood up with a fatigued, brave air.  Laurencine sat critically observant on the end of a sofa.  The furniture of the room was heaped with tea-gowns, and other garments not very dissimilar, producing a rich and exciting effect.  All three women quickened to George’s entry.

“Oh!  George!” said Lois querulously.  “Are you going to play tennis?  I wish I could!  I’m so glad you came in; we’d no idea you were in the house, had we, Laurencine?  Laurencine’s giving me a tea-gown.  Which of them do you prefer?  It’s no good me having one you don’t like.”

He had been unjust to her, then.

“It’s really her birthday present,” said Laurencine, “only a bit late.  Oh!  Dear!  Darling, do sit down, you’re standing too long.”

Both Laurencine and the young woman in black regarded Lois with soft compassion, and she sat down.  Laurencine too was a mother.  But she had retained her girlhood.  She was a splendid, powerful, erect creature, handsome, with a frank, benevolent, sane face, at the height of her physical perfection.  George had a great fondness for her.  Years earlier he had wondered how it was that he had not fallen in love with her instead of with Lois.  But he knew the reason now.  She lacked force of individuality.  She was an adorer by instinct.  She adored Lois; Lois could do no wrong.  More strange, she adored her husband.  Ingenuous simpleton!  Yet wise!  Another thing was that her mind was too pure.  Instead of understanding, it rejected.  It was a mind absolutely impregnable to certain phenomena.  And this girl still enjoyed musical comedies and their successors in vogue, the revues!

“The Germans have taken Namur,” George announced.

The news impressed.  Even the young woman in black permitted herself by a facial gesture to show that she was interested in the war as well as in tea-gowns, and apart from its effect on tea-gowns.

“Oh!  Dear!” murmured Laurencine.

“Is it serious?” Lois demanded.

“You bet it is!” George replied.

“But what’s Sir John French doing, then?  I say, Laurencine, I think I shall have that pale blue one, after all, if you don’t mind.”  The black young woman went across to the piano and brought the pale blue one.  “George, don’t you think so?”

The gown was deferentially held out for his inspection.