'I want to send for Marie, my maid, and tell her to order some muffins for tea. I forgot to tell the cook.'
'But you have already ordered and countermanded them.'
'Oh, have I?—so I have! Never mind, don't ring. It doesn't matter. Who do you know, dear?'
Standing appeared in answer to the bell.
'What do you want, Standing? You mustn't keep bothering and interrupting me like this. Oh, tea? Yes, bring tea. And tell Marie I shan't want her after all.'
Lady Conroy leant back against her cushions and with a sigh went on:
'You see, I'm in the most terrible muddle, dear Edith. I don't know where to turn.'
She turned to her writing-table and opened it.
'Look at this, now,' she said rather triumphantly. 'This is all about my war work. Oh no, it isn't. It's an advertisement from a washer-woman. Gracious, ought I to keep it, do you think? No, I don't think I need.'
She folded it up and put it carefully away again.