"I don't know what you mean, mother," said Marie.

"Just that, love," Mrs. Amber replied soothingly, "only that you
should rest. It's wiser and it will make a great difference to you."

"I can't think what you mean, mother. I don't see why being married
should alter one."

Mrs. Amber looked into the fire and said slowly: "Well, duck, it does.
Doesn't it?"

Now Marie was conscious of an overpowering irritation. These old
wives' tales! These matronly saws! How stupid they were! How
meaningless, foundationless and sickening! She did not reply to Mrs.
Amber's question, but stirred restlessly in her chair, swinging her
foot, and said:

"Well, it's after twelve, and we may as well have some lunch. I'll
just run--"

"No, love, you _won't_!" Mrs. Amber exclaimed, showing
considerable vivacity. "I'm going to take you straight away to lie
down on that nice couch, and I'll find the lunch myself, and we'll
have it on a tray together. Now!"

"There isn't a fire in the drawing-room."

"I'll soon put a match to it, dear."