She made her call about three o'clock。
〃My dear； I'm so glad；〃 she said warmly； as she squeezed Katherine's hand。 〃And everyone in the village will be glad too。〃
〃It's very nice of you to e and tell me；〃 said Katherine。 〃I hoped you would e； because I wanted to ask about Johnnie。〃
〃Oh！ Johnnie。 Well …〃
Johnnie was Mrs Harrison's youngest son。 In another minute she was off； retailing a long history in which Johnnie's adenoids and tonsils bulked largely。 Katherine listened sympathetically。 Habits die hard。 Listening had been her portion for ten years now。 〃My dear； I wonder if I ever told you about that naval ball at Portsmouth？ When Lord Charles admired my gown？〃 And posedly； kindly； Katherine would reply： 〃I rather think you have； Mrs Harfield； but I've forgotten about it。 Won't you tell it me again？〃 And then the old lady would start off full swing； with numerous details。 And half of Katherine's mind would be listening； saying the right things mechanically when the old lady paused。。。
Now； with that same curious feeling of duality to which she was accustomed； she listened to Mrs Harrison。
At the end of half an hour； the latter recalled herself suddenly。
〃I've been talking about myself all this time；〃 she exclaimed。 〃And I came here to talk about you and your plans。〃
〃I don't know that I've got any yet。〃
〃My dear … you're not going to stay on here。〃
Katherine smiled at the horror in the other's tone。
〃No； I think I want to travel。 I've never seen much of the world； you know。〃
〃I should think not。 It must have been an awful life for you cooped up here all these years。〃
〃I don't know；〃 said Katherine。 〃It gave me a lot of freedom。〃
She caught the other's gasp； and reddened