The deceit of both of them hurt her immensely. But she pulled herself together. It was a case for action. She felt a bitter, amused contempt, but she felt it half-urgent _not_ to do anything that would lead to a life of miserable bickering and mutual harm.
It must be stopped. And without making Bruce hate her.
She wrote the second note of this strange day and sent it by a messenger.
Giving no reason of any kind, she told the governess that she had decided the children's holidays should begin from that day, and that she was unexpectedly going away with them almost immediately, and she added that she would not require Miss Townsend any more. She enclosed a cheque, and said she would send on some books and small possessions that Miss Townsend had kept there.
This was sent by a messenger to Miss Townsend's home near Westbourne Grove. She would find it on her return from her walk!
And now Edith read Aylmer's note--it was so real, so sincere, she began to disbelieve her eyes this morning.
It gave her more courage; she wanted to be absolutely calm, and looking her very best, for Bruce's entrance.
He came in with his key. He avoided her eye a little--looked rather sheepish, she thought. It was about seven.
'Hallo! Aren't the children in yet? Far too late for them to be out.' 'Nurse fetched Dilly. She has gone to bed. Archie is coming presently; mother will send him all right.'
'I have a sort of idea, as you know,' he said, growing more at ease, 'that we shall rather miss--a--Miss Townsend, when we first go away. What do you think of taking her for part of the time?' 'Dinner's ready,' announced Edith, and they dined. Towards the end of dinner he was about to make the suggestion again, when Edith said in clear, calm but decided tones:
'Bruce, I am not going to take Miss Townsend away with us. She is not coming any more.'
'Not--Why? What the devil's the idea of this new scheme? What's the matter with Miss Townsend?'
'Bruce,' answered Edith, 'I prefer not to go into the question, and later you will be glad I did not. I've decided that Miss Townsend is not to come any more at all. I've written to tell her so. I'll look after the children with nurse until we come back.... It's all settled.'