The  next  day  Ida  went  to  New  York  with  Mrs.  Voor-
hees  to  complete  some  preparations  for  her  journey,  and
to  meet  Mrs.  Voorhees's  sister,  who  was  expected  to
arrive  from  the  South,  where  she  had  been  spending  the
winter.  That  evening  the  Voorheeses  came  over  and  dis
cussed  their  purchases,  and  Miss  Wyatt,  the  sister,  came
with  them.  She  was  typically  like  Mrs.  Voorhees,  only
younger,  and  with  her  figure  in  better  restraint.  She
had  so  far  successfully  fought  down  an  hereditary  ten
dency  to  avoirdupois.  She  had  brilliant  yellow  hair  and
a  brilliant  complexion,  like  her  sister,  and  she  was  as
well,  even  better,  dressed.  Ida  had  purchased  that  day
a  steamer-rug,  a  close  little  hat,  and  a  long  coat  for  the
voyage,  and  the  women  talked  over  the  purchases  and

374


BY    THE    LIGHT    OF    THE    SOUL

their  plans  for  travel  with  undisguised  glee.  Once,  when
Ida  met  Maria's  sarcastic  eyes,  she  colored  a  little  and
complained  of  a  headache,  which  she  had  been  suffering
with  all  day.
"Yes,  there  is  no  doubt  that  you  are  simply  a  nervous
wreck,  and  you  would  break  down  entirely  without  the
sea-voyage  and  the  change  of  scene,"  said  Mrs.  Voorhees,
in  her  smooth,  emotionless  voice  and  with  a  covert
glance  at  Maria.  Ida  had  confided  to  her  the  attitude
which  she  knew  Maria  took  with  reference  to  her  going
away.
"All  I  regret  —  all  that  mars  my  perfect  delight  in
the  prospect  of  the  trip — is  parting  with  my  darling  lit
tle  Paul,"  Mrs.  Voorhees  said,  with  a  sigh.
"That  is  the  way  I  feel  with  regard  to  Evelyn,"  said
Ida.
Maria,  who  was  sewing,  took  another  stitch.  She  did
not  seem  to  hear.
