Rose bent forward slightly. 'I like her,' she said distinctly. 'And
she's lonely.'

'Well, my dear, she'll soon have half a dozen children to keep her
lively.'

'Hush, Caroline! The man will hear you.'

Caroline addressed Rose. 'Sophia's modesty is indecent. I've done what
I could for her.'

'Please listen to me,' Rose said. 'You are not to belittle Mrs. Sales
to people, Caroline. You can be a powerful friend, if you choose, and
if you sing her praises there will be a mighty chorus.'

'That's true,' Caroline said.

'Yes, that's true, dear Caroline,' Sophia echoed. 'And I think you're
taking this very sweetly, Rose.'

'Sweetly? Why?'

Caroline pricked up her ears. 'What's this? I'm out of this. Oh, that
old rubbish! She will have it you and Francis should have married. My
dear Sophia, Rose could have married anybody if she'd wanted to.
You'll admit that? Yes? Then can't you see'--she tapped Sophia's
knee--'then can't you see that Rose didn't want him? That's logic--and
something you lack.'