Then she proceeded to elaborate her statement in exactly the wrong way.

She said how very dreadful it would be if such a talented young actress should fall a victim of such a terrible disease, and what a loss she would be to the public, whereas all that Margaret Edes thought should be at all considered by any true friend of her own was her own particular loss.
"For once the Zenith Club would have had a meeting calculated to take Fairbridge women out of their rut in which people like Mrs.Slade and Mrs.Sturtevant seem determined to keep them," returned Margaret testily.

Annie stared at her.

Margaret often said that it was the first rule of her life never to speak ill of any one, and she kept the letter of it as a rule.
"I am so sorry," said Annie.

Then she added with more tact.