Phillips had always felt herself. Joan could have kissed the voluble,
emphatic little woman.
But the dyed hair and the paint put up a fight for themselves.
"I want you to do something very brave," said Joan. She had invited
herself to tea with Mrs. Phillips, and they were alone in the small white-
panelled room that they were soon to say good-bye to. The new house
would be ready at Christmas. "It will be a little hard at first,"
continued Joan, "but afterwards you will be glad that you have done it.
It is a duty you owe to your position as the wife of a great leader of
the people."
The firelight showed to Joan a comically frightened face, with round,
staring eyes and an open mouth.
"What is it you want me to do?" she faltered
"I want you to be just yourself," said Joan; "a kind, good woman of the
people, who will win their respect, and set them an example." She moved
across and seating herself on the arm of Mrs. Phillips's chair, touched
lightly with her hand the flaxen hair and the rouged cheek. "I want you
to get rid of all this," she whispered.
Pages:
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210