“That would be wonderful,” Elizabeth said gravely.  For a moment she wished Dick were rich.  There was so much to be done with money, and how well he would know how to do it.  She was thoughtful on the way downstairs, and Mrs. Sayre felt some small satisfaction.  Now if Wallie would only do his part—­

It was that night that Jim brought the tragedy on the Wheeler house that was to lie heavy on it for many a day.

There had been a little dinner, one of those small informal affairs where Mrs. Wheeler, having found in the market the first of the broiling chickens and some fine green peas, bought them first and then sat down to the telephone to invite her friends.  Mr. Oglethorpe, the clergyman, and his wife accepted cheerfully; Harrison Miller, resignedly.  Then Mrs. Wheeler drew a long, resolute breath and invited Mrs. Sayre.  When that lady accepted with alacrity Mrs. Wheeler hastily revised her menu, telephoned the florist for flowers, and spent a long half-hour with Annie over plates and finger bowls.

Jim was not coming home, and Elizabeth was dining with Nina.  Mrs. Wheeler bustled about the house contentedly.  Everything was going well, after all.  Before long there would be a car, and Jim would spend more time at home.  Nina and Leslie were happy again.  And Elizabeth—­not a good match, perhaps, but a marriage for love, if ever there was one.

She sat at the foot of her table that night, rather too watchful of Annie, but supremely content.  She had herself scoured the loving cup to the last degree of brightness and it stood, full of flowers, in the center of the cloth.

At Nina’s was a smaller but similar group.  All over the village at that time in the evening were similar groups, gathered around flowers and candles; neatly served, cheerful and undramatic groups, with the house doors closed and dogs waiting patiently outside in the long spring twilight.

Elizabeth was watching Nina.  Just so, she was deciding, would she some day preside at her own board.  Perhaps before so very long, too.  A little separation, letters to watch for and answer, and then—­

The telephone rang, and Leslie answered it.  He did not come back; instead they heard the house door close, and soon after the rumble of the car as it left the garage.  It stopped at the door, and Leslie came in.

“I’m sorry,” he said, “but I guess Elizabeth will have to go home.  You’d better come along, Nina.”

“What is it?  Is somebody sick?” Elizabeth gasped.

“Jim’s been in an automobile accident.  Steady now, Elizabeth!  He’s hurt, but he’s going to be all right.”

The Wheeler house, when they got there, was brightly lighted.  Annie was crying in the hall, and in the living-room Mrs. Sayre stood alone, a strange figure in a gaudy dress, but with her face strong and calm.

“They’ve gone to the hospital in my car,” she said.  “They’ll be there now any minute, and Mr. Oglethorpe will telephone at once.  You are to wait before starting in.”