Chapter5

    "Mother,Mother,Iamsohappy!"whisperedthegirl,buryingherfathelapofthefaded,tired-lookingwomanwho,withbackturheshrillintrusivelight,wassittingintheonearm-chairthattheirdingysitting-roomtained."Iamsohappy!"sherepeated,"andyoumustbehappy,too!"

    Mrs.Vanewindputherthin,bismuth-whitenedhandshtershead."Happy!"sheechoed,"Iamonlyhappy,Sibyl,whenIseeyouaustnotthinkofanythingbutyourag.Mr.Isaacshasbeenverygoodtous,andweowehimmoney."

    Thegirllookedupandpouted."Money,Mother?"shecried,"whatdoesmoter?Loveismorethanmoney."

    "Mr.IsaacshasadvancedusfiftypoundstopayoffourdebtsandtogetaproperoutfitforJames.Youmustnetthat,Sibyl.Fiftypoundsisaverylargesum.Mr.Isaacshasbeenmostsiderate."

    "Heisnotagentleman,Mother,andIhatethewayhetalkstome,"saidthegirl,risingtoherfeetandgoihewindow.

    "Idontknoeahouthim,"aheelderwomanquerulously.

    SibylVaossedherheadandlaughed."Wedontwanthimanymore,Mother.PrinceCharmingruleslifeforusnow."Thenshepaused.Aroseshookinherbloodandshadowedhercheeks.Quickbreathpartedthepetalsofherlips.Theytrembled.Somesouthernwindofpassiooverherandstirredthedaintyfoldsofherdress."Ilovehim,"shesaidsimply.

    "Foolishchild!foolishchild!"wastheparrot-phraseflunginahewavingofcrooked,false-jewelledfingersgavegrotesqueothewords.

    Thegirllaughedagain.Thejoyofacagedbirdwasinhervoice.Hereyescaughtthemelodyandec