But I'd always been mad about art." Joan had taken a liking to the girl.

It was a spiritual, vivacious face with frank eyes and a firm mouth; and the voice was low and strong.
"Tell me," she said, "what interfered with it ?" Unconsciously she was leaning forward, her chin supported by her hands.

Their faces were very near to one another.
The girl looked up.

She did not answer for a moment.

There came a hardening of the mouth before she spoke.
"A baby," she said.