The Mother's Recompense by Edith Wharton

Mrs. Clephane excused herself from coming down to dinner; Aline was to / say that she was very tired, and begged that no one should disturb her. / The next morning, she knew, Chris was returning to Baltimore. Perhaps / in his absence she would be able to breathe more freely, see more / clearly.

Anne, as usual, respected her mother's wishes; she neither came up / nor sent to enquire. But the next morning, in the old way, fresh / and shining, she appeared with Mrs. Clephane's breakfast-tray. She / wanted to be reassured as to her mother's health, and Kate, under her / solicitous eye, poured out a cup of tea and forced down a bit of toast.