Of what passed during those next two hours Ida had afterwards no recollection.

They ate together, and they talked, Ida as if in a dream, Harriet preoccupied in a way quite out of her habit.

Ida explained that she was out of employment, news which could scarcely be news to the listener, who would in that case have heard it with far less composure.
There were long silences, generally brought to an end by some outburst of forced merriment from Harriet.

Ida was without consciousness of time, but her restless imagination at length compelled her to go forth again.

Harriet did not urge her to stay, but rose and watched her as she went into the other room to put her things on.