She found them much altered; they had aged
considerably and were weighted with care. Music teaching in
Melkbridge was a sorry crutch on which to lean for support. During
the short meal, neither husband nor wife said much. Mavis wondered
if this taciturnity were due to any suspicions they might entertain
of Mavis's unwedded state. But when Mrs Trivett came upstairs with
her, she sat on the bed and burst into tears.
Upon Mavis asking what was amiss, Mrs Trivett told her that they
were overwhelmed with debt and consequent difficulties to such an
extent, that they did not know from one day to another if they would
continue to have a roof over their heads. She also told Mavis that
her coming as a lodger had been in the nature of a godsend, and that
she had returned to Melkbridge upon the anniversary of the day on
which her husband had commenced his disastrous tenancy of Pennington
Farm.
Mavis slept little that night. Her baby was restless and wailed
fitfully throughout the long hours, during which the anxious mother
did her best to comfort him. Mavis made up her mind to call in a
doctor if he were not better in the morning.
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