Upon the living-room mantel was a photograph of Amy.  And on the smooth and pretty face with the lips slightly parting, and in the smiling violet eyes, there was the expression of something which Ethel did not quite name to herself—­for she had forgotten the night long ago in her high-school club when they had sturdily tackled the word “sensual” and what it meant.  But the picture grew familiar and real, filled in by the living presence here of this woman who so carefully tended her beautiful body, her glossy hair, her cheeks and lips; this sister with so many moods, now intent and watchful, now good-humoured, indolent, now expectant, hungry, now smilingly content and gay.

And as the picture grew more real, warm and close and thrilling, it symbolized for Ethel that mysterious force which she could feel on every side, driving the throngs of humanity—­in this city where so many things she had once deemed important were fading rapidly away.  That hungry hope of a singer’s career, that craving for work and self-education, trips to Paris, London, Rome, books, art and clever people, “salons,” brilliant discussions of life; and deeper still, those mysterious dreams about having children and making a home—­all began to drop behind, so quietly and easily that she barely noticed the change.

For this was happening in a few weeks, in the first whirl and excitement of those dazzling streets and shops, those models, gowns, hats, gloves and shoes.  “It’s not what you say that interests men—­it’s how you look and what you have on.”  The image of her sister grew vivid in Ethel’s eager mind.  And with it came the question, now ardent though still a little confused: 

“Shall I ever be like that?”

CHAPTER IV

Ethel had been about four weeks in town, and now she was to meet Amy’s friends.  Amy was giving a dinner the next evening in her honour; and to let the cook and the waitress have a rest on the preceding night, Joe took Amy and Ethel out to dine in a cafe.  His business had gone well that week and Joe was a genial husband.  They had a sea-food supper and later he took them to a play.  When they came home, Ethel went to her room, for she felt very tired.  It was not long before she was asleep.

She was awakened by Joe, half dressed.

“Amy is sick!” he said sharply.  “Go in and help her, will you?  I’ll try to get a doctor!”

On Amy’s bed, a little later, Ethel saw a face so changed from the one of a few hours before, that she felt her heart jump into her throat.  Amy’s face was ugly and queer, distorted by frequent spasms of pain.  But worse was the terror in her eyes.

“Ethel, I think I’m dying!” she cried.  “Something I ate—­it poisoned me!” There was a violent catch in her breath.

“Amy!  Why, you poor little darling!” Ethel held her sister tight, asked quick anxious questions and did things to relieve her, but with little or no success.  It seemed hours till Joe came back.  With him was a doctor, who made an examination and then took Joe into the hall.  Ethel followed anxiously.  She heard the doctor questioning Joe, and she heard him say: