I Make a Discovery

Really, I have left Aunt Selina rather out of it, but she was important
as a cause, not as a result; at least at first. She came out strong
later. I believe she was a very nice old woman, with strong likes and
prejudices, which she was perfectly willing to pay for. At least, I only
presume she had likes; I know she had prejudices.

Nobody ever understood why Bella consented to take Betty's place with
Aunt Selina. As for me, I was too much engrossed with my own affairs
to pay the invalid much attention. Once or twice during the day I had
stopped in to see her, and had been received frigidly and with marked
disapproval. I was in disgrace, of course, after the scene in the dining
room the night before. I had stood like a naughty child, just inside the
door, and replied meekly when she said the pillows were overstuffed, and
why didn't I have the linen slips rinsed in starch water? She laid the
blame of her illness on me, as I have said before, and she made Jim read
to her in the afternoon from a book she carried with her, Coals of Fire
on the DOMESTIC Hearth, marking places for me to read.

She sent for me that night, just as I had taken off my gown; so I threw
on a dressing gown and went in. To my horror, Jim was already there. At
a gesture from Aunt Selina, he closed the door into the hall and tiptoed
back beside the bed, where he sat staring at the figures on the silk
comfort.