§ 2
The nurse went the following morning. Before going by one of the early trains from Upton Rising she cooked herself a sumptuous breakfast of ham and eggs, fish and coffee. She was going to her home in Newcastle, and she took with her for refreshments on the journey several hardboiled eggs, a bottle of invalid’s wine, and two packages of chicken sandwiches. Coming up to Catherine’s bedroom just before departure she shook hands very stiffly and wished her a swift recovery. But her attitude was contemptuous.
After she had gone, Catherine called Florrie up to her and delivered a sort of informal speech.
“You know, Florrie, that lately, while I’ve been ill, expenses have been very high. And of course I haven’t had any money coming in at all. Well, I haven’t got enough money to keep us spending at the rate I have been, so I’ve had to cut down expenses drastically. The nurse has gone for good and the doctor isn’t going to call so often.... You must be careful not to waste anything. Don’t order from the grocer’s anything that isn’t necessary. You’d better let me see the order before you give it.... No fruits out of season ... we needn’t have meat every day, you know ... and tell the gardener he needn’t come again until further notice. There’s not much gardening to be done this time of the year....”