'
'I know he does, my dear. Who should know it better than I do? But--do
you think he is worse lately?'
'I do. He is terribly depressed. He says things to me sometimes
that--well, that really quite alarm me.'
'I'm sorry. But you mustn't take Bruce too seriously, you know that.'
'Indeed I don't take him too seriously! And I've done my best either to
change the subject or to make him see the silver lining to every cloud,'
Madame Frabelle answered solemnly, with a shake of her head.
'I think what Bruce complains of is the want of a silver lining to his
purse,' Edith said.
'You are jesting, Edith dear.'
'No, I'm not. He worries about money.'
'But only incidentally,' said Madame Frabelle. 'Bruce is really worried
about the war.'
'Naturally. But surely--I suppose we all are.'
'But Mr. Ottley takes it particularly to heart,' said Madame Frabelle,
with a kind of touching dignity.
Edith looked at her in a little surprise. Why did she suddenly call
Bruce 'your husband' or 'Mr. Ottley'?
'Why this distant manner, Eglantine?' said Edith, half laughing. 'I
thought you always called him Bruce.'
'I beg your pardon; yes, I forgot.
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