"This," said Dr. Brink. And he gave her Mrs. Bennett's letter. And she read it silently. And she stood up.
"Really, Doctor," she observed, "one doesn't quite know what to say. I'm sorry, I suppose. I will write and apologise to Mrs. Bennett. I'll go home and draw threads.
"Don't trouble to get up," she continued, as the doctor rose from his chair. "Don't trouble to get up. You are quite the rudest man I've ever met. Please don't trouble to get up."
She reached the door, but paused upon its threshold and turned to him again. "You are quite the rudest man I've ever met," she said again. "Quite the rudest.... I'll send you some money for your pigs."
XVI
BAFFIN'S FIND
Baffin came home one evening in a state of wild-eyed exaltation.
He had found the face for his "Mist Maiden." Its name was Prudence Croft.
It was coming to sit next day, and certain brothers of the brush were coming also to inspect and criticise Prudence.
Baffin's panegyrics quite interested me. I invited myself to join the party and my invitation was accepted.