"I don't want to curse you, Caroline," said Maggie."Sit down.Tea will be here in a minute.I was very unhappy about what you did, but that's all a long time ago now, and I was to blame too.""Oh, that's just sweet of you," said Caroline, running over and giving Maggie an impulsive kiss."I said to Alfred, 'Maggie may be angry.I don't know how she'll receive me, I'm sure.She had the sweetest nature always, and it isn't like her to bear a grudge.But whatever way it is, I'll have to take it, because the fact is Ideserve it.' But there you are, simply angelic and I'm ever so glad.
The fact is I was ridicilous in those days.I don't wonder you lost your patience with me, and it was just like your honest self to be so frank with me.But marriage has just taught me everything.What Isay is, every one ought to be married; no one knows anything until they're married.It's amazing what a difference it makes, don't you think so? Why, before I was married I used to chatter on in the most ridicilous way (Caroline always said ridicilous) and now-but there Igo, talking of myself, and it's you I want to hear about.Now, Maggie, tell me--" But the sudden entrance of Grace and Paul checked, for the moment, these confidences.Caroline did not stay long this first time.She talked a little, drank some tea, ate a biscuit, smiled at Paul and departed.She felt, perhaps, that Grace did not approve of her.Grace had not seen her before, certainly she would not approve of the peach-coloured dress and the smile at Paul.