The solo went on:
In the wilderness build me a nest:
And remain there for ever at rest.
Then, with some repetition which seemed vain to Alfred, the chorus swallowed the solo. And to Alfred's mind the longing in his wife's face had grown definite, acute, and almost terrible.
As they knelt down after the anthem, his eyes met those of his mother. She, too, had seen Gladys's expression. Was it the expression she had referred to on the way to church? Was such an expression a common one with his darling, and concealed only from him? Was it possible that she was secretly longing and pining for the Bush—now—when they were all so happy?
Much later in the evening—long after church—Lady Bligh made an opportunity of speaking again alone with Alfred. 'I have been maturing my little plans,' she said, smiling.
'As regards Gladys?' he asked.
'Yes; and I have been thinking that really, after all, she need not be so dull during the next few days——'
Alfred interrupted her hastily.
