Elizabeth Wheeler was an unconscious party to the division. It was, in
a way, her battle they were fighting. And Elizabeth had gone over to the
enemy.
Late that afternoon Ann Sayre had her first real talk with Wallie since
Dick's return. She led him out onto the terrace, her shoulders militant
and her head high, and faced him there.
"I can see you are not going to talk to me," she said. "So I'll talk to
you. Has Dick Livingstone's return made any change between Elizabeth and
you?"
"No."
"She's just the same to you? You must tell me, Wallace. I've been
building so much."
She realized the change in him then more fully than ever for he faced
her squarely and without evasion.
"There's no change in her, mother, but I think you and I will both have
to get used to this: she's not in love with me. She doesn't pretend to
be."
"Don't tell me it's still that man!"
"I don't know." He took a turn or two about the terrace. "I don't think
it is, mother. I don't think she cares for anybody, that way, certainly
not for me. And that's the trouble." He faced her again. "If marrying
me isn't going to make her happy, I won't hold her to it. You'll have to
support me in that, mother. I'm a pretty weak sister sometimes."
That appeal touched her as nothing had done for a long time. "I'll help
all I can, if the need comes," she said, and turned and went heavily
into the house.