Uncle John brought him back from India." Katharine looked at her mother, but did not stir or answer.

She had suddenly become very angry, with a rage which their relationship made silent, and therefore doubly powerful and critical.

She felt all the unfairness of the claim which her mother tacitly made to her time and sympathy, and what Mrs.Hilbery took, Katharine thought bitterly, she wasted.

Then, in a flash, she remembered that she had still to tell her about Cyril's misbehavior.

Her anger immediately dissipated itself; it broke like some wave that has gathered itself high above the rest; the waters were resumed into the sea again, and Katharine felt once more full of peace and solicitude, and anxious only that her mother should be protected from pain.