Katie's memory of what followed was blurred.

She remembered how relieved she was when Ann's laugh--oh the memory of that laugh was clear enough!--gave way to sobbing.

Sobbing was easier to deal with.

She said something about her friend's being ill, and that they would have to excuse them.

She almost wanted to laugh--or was it cry ?--herself at the way Harry Prescott was looking from Ann to his mother.