believe there is." Olive was about to reply, but before she could speak, Frieda interrupted her. "Oh, I know exactly what you are going to say, Olive. Jack and I are very different persons! I know that as well as you do. I know, too, that Jack would never do anything except what was right. She could not if she tried. But she might do something silly.[48] I don't suppose there is any human being in the world who fails to be foolish at one time or other in this life," Frieda concluded. [48] [49] [49] CHAPTER IV Lord Kent, as most men did, treated his sister-in-law as a very pretty and charming young woman, who was not to be taken seriously. His wife had told him of Frieda's difficulty with her husband, but not of the cause. At that time she was not aware of it. Also she had instructed him not to mention the prospect of Professor Russell's appearance in England. So Frieda and Frank chatted and teased each other, as they had since she was a little girl just entering her teens, but neither referred to any unpleasant subject. Lord Kent had seemed tired when he first came home and was disappointed to find his wife absent. After his conversation with Frieda he relaxed and appeared more cheerful and good[50] natured. This was the effect Frieda usually had upon masculine persons. She was so gentle and pretty, and her eyes were such a clear blue that one felt she could be easily influenced or persuaded. But the truth was that Frieda was no more easily controlled than a kitten. If ever one tries to train a little domestic animal, it will be discovered that a dog is far more quickly influenced than a kitten. As a matter of fact a kitten is probably the most unchangeable of all domestic pets. [50] Since the early afternoon the July day had altered. A soft rain had begun falling, so that tea at Kent House was served in the library. Olive, Frieda and Lord Kent waited half an hour later than usual, thinking that Jack and Captain MacDonnell would return. Then they drank their tea slowly, still believing that the riders would surely appear before they had finished. At half past five, when there was still no sign of his wife and friend, Lord Kent got up and several times walked back and forth
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