One by one Elfreda calmly laid down her packages and began preparations for her tissue paper tea.

The stout girl's mood seemed to have changed, however.

She answered her companions' gay sallies rather abstractedly, with the air of one whose thoughts were anywhere but on her guests.

Several times Grace glanced up to find Elfreda's eyes fixed reflectively upon her.
When, at five o'clock, she announced her intention of going for a walk before dinner, Elfreda gave her another peculiar look and announced her intention of accompanying her.

Anne and Miriam, who had elected to occupy the time before dinner in writing to the Southards, declined Grace's invitation, and as the two girls walked briskly down the street, Elfreda breathed a deep sigh of relief.