"Well, he must have thought it was."

A sudden chill crept through her.

"He'll be all right when he gets used to you," Miss Walker said.

The strange face of Miss Walker chilled her. A strange young woman, living
close to Robin, protecting him, explaining Robin's ways.

The sound of hammering ceased. Through the long, open window she saw a
woman rise up from the floor and shed a white apron. She came down the
lawn to them, with raised arms, patting disordered hair; large, a full,
firm figure clipped in blue linen. A full-blown face, bluish pink; thick
gray eyes slightly protruding; a thick mouth, solid and firm and kind.
That was Robin's wife. Her sister was slighter, fresher, a good ten years
younger, Harriett thought.

"Excuse me, we're only just settling in. I was nailing down the carpet in
Robin's study."

Her lips were so thick that they moved stiffly when she spoke or smiled.
She panted a little as if from extreme exertion.

When they were all seated Mrs. Lethbridge addressed her sister. "Robin was
quite right. It looks _much_ better turned the other way."

"Do you mean to say he made you take it all up and put it down again?
Well----"

"What's the use?... Miss Frean, you don't know what it is to have a