What a long while Marcia was staying upstairs! Why, one could change a dozen pillow-slips in this time.
"I guess they are tighter than I remembered them. I needn't have rushed as I did," pouted Sylvia. "What can she be doing?"
When at last Marcia returned, something evidently was wrong.
"What's the matter?" demanded Sylvia. "Is Mr. Heath worse?"
"Worse? No indeed. What made you think so?"
"Do I? You'd be fussed had you wrestled with those pillow-slips as I have," was the reply. "Either the pillows have swelled or the cases have shrunk frightfully. Well, they are on now, anyway."
"Come and get dinner then. I'm starved. My walk has made me hungry as a bear. You must go out this afternoon, Marcia. It is a glorious day and you need to be pepped up. I know what staying in the house means. Didn't I sit in this kitchen all yesterday afternoon until I got so dopey I could scarcely keep my eyes open? Not that I wasn't glad to," she added hastily. "I never mind staying in when there is a reason for doing it, and of course I want to do my bit toward taking care of Mr. Heath. Still, indoors isn't the same as outdoors. We all need exercise. I've had my quota for the day. You must have yours."
"Thank you, dear, but I think I won't go out today."
"I don't feel like it. I'd rather sit here and read."
"Nonsense, Marcia! You're getting middle-aged and lazy. You'll lose your nice slim, hipless figure if you don't watch out."
"I guess I shan't lose it today. Soon Mr. Heath will be gone and we can both go."
"But I can play nurse for the afternoon."
"Not today, dear," Marcia said with finality. "I have some mending to do and lots of other little things that I have been saving up for a long time. Since I prefer to stay, why don't you tramp up the shore and see _My Unknown Lady_? She is beautiful and you haven't seen her yet."
"I'd love to--if I cannot coax you to go out."
"You can't. I'm adamant on not stirring out of this room."
"Well, if your mind is made up to that extent, I suppose there is no use in my trying to change it. I would like to see the boat."
"I'm sure you would. Stay as long as you like. There will be nothing to do here. Somebody ought to enjoy the sunshine and blue sky. Mr. Heath will probably sleep and in the meantime I shall get my sewing done."