Read "The Lonely Bride" by Fred M. White online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
The day was dragging slowly along. It was nearly tea time before Grace was called in from the garden with the information that two visitors had arrived, and were now awaiting her in the drawing-room. It was not a time for social observances, but there was nothing for it now but to go into the house and dispense tea to the callers. They were both young girls and close friends of Grace's, but it seemed to her now that she could detect a certain coldness in the manner of each. The conversation proceeded on more or less stilted lines until Grace could stand it no longer.
-"What is the matter with you both?" she asked. "Why are you so frigid and polite? Have I done anything?"