Thyrza did in fact come down for tea. She spoke only a few words, but she seemed stronger than in the morning. Lydia had a brighter face too. They went up again together after the meal. Another night passed. Lydia slept. She believed that the worst was over, and that there might after all be no postponement of the marriage. For Thyrza had become very quiet; she seemed worn out with struggle, and resigned. Her sleep, she said, had been good. Yet her eyelids were swollen; no doubt she had cried in the night. Lydia had no intention of leaving home. Gilbert had gone to work, reassured by her report the last thing on the previous evening. There was no more speech between the sisters on the subject of their thoughts. Through the morning Thyrza lay so still that Lydia, thinking her asleep, now and then stepped lightly and bent over her. Each time, however, she found the sad eyes gazing fixedly upwards. Thyrza just turned them to her, but without change of expression. 'Don't look at me like that, dear,' Lydia said once. 'It's as if you didn't know me.' The reply was a brief smile. Thyrza got up in the afternoon. About five o'clock, when Lydia was making tea, Mrs. Jarmey came with a message. She said Mr. Boddy had sent word that he wished to see Lydia particularly; he begged she would come during the evening. 'Who brought the message?' Lydia asked, going outside the door to speak with the landlady. 'A little boy,' was the answer. 'I never see him before, as I know.' Lydia was disturbed. It might only mean that the old man was anxious at not having seen her for five or six days, or that he was ill; but the fact of his living in the Bowers' house suggested another explanation. An answer was required; she sent back word that she would come. 'I shan't be more than half an hour away at the very longest,' she said, when she reluctantly prepared to go out after tea. 'Wouldn't you like to go downstairs just for that time, dear?' 'No, Lyddy, I'll stay.' Thyrza had left her chair, and stood with her hand resting on the mantel-piece. She did not turn her head. 'How funny you look with your hair like that!' Thyrza had declined to have her hair braided, and had coiled it herself in a new way. She made no reply. 'Good-bye, pet!' Lydia said, coming near. Thyrza did not move. She was looking downwards at the fire. Lydia touched her; she started, and, with a steady gaze, said, 'Good-bye, Lyddy!' 'I do wish I hadn't to go. But I shall be very quick.' 'Yes. Good-bye!' They kissed each other, and Lydia hastened on her errand.