"To love is to wish the other's highest good, as I understand it." Mrs.Manners compressed her lips, as might a prophetess before a prediction.

But her daughter was beforehand with her again.
"That is the love of a Christian, at least," she said.

Then she stooped, took the letter from her mother's knees, and went out.
Mrs.Manners sat for a moment as her daughter left her.

Then she understood that her hour of superiority was gone with Marjorie's hour of weakness; and she emitted a short laugh as she took her place again behind the child she had borne.
II It was a strange time that Marjorie had until two days later, when Robin came and told her all, and how it had fallen out.

For now, it seemed, she walked on air; now in shoes of lead.