CHAPTER XXVI

I Ilse did not look as if she wanted excuses made for her when, two days later, she walked unannounced into Emily’s room. She looked rosy, audacious, triumphant. Emily stared at her. “Well, I suppose the earthquake is over. What is left standing?” “Ilse! How could you!” Ilse pulled a notebook out of her handbag and pretended to consult it. “I wrote down a list of the things you’d say. That was the first one. You’ve said it. The next is, ‘Aren’t you ashamed of yourself?’ I’m not, you know,” added Ilse impudently. “I…