"It doesn't matter; I understand," said Miss Coxen. "Sophy always was a goose about anybody being ill. But I shall do, somehow. I wish I had you to nurse me," she added to Mildred.
"You'll manage well enough," the doctor assured her. "It's chiefly a matter of keeping the hand quiet." Then he said good-bye and vanished, and Mildred rose to put on her mantle.
Miss Sophy indulged in another sigh, and wondered whatever in the world they were to do.
"There's that new dress for Miss Gilbert that isn't so much as begun to be cut out yet," she said; "and it was promised by the end of the week. I shall never manage it alone, I'm quite sure. And Alice Mokes' gown too, and Mrs. Mokes' old one that's got to be turned."
"Alice Mokes won't mind waiting, if her mother doesn't mind. Oh dear, my poor hand! But I know Miss Gilbert can't wait. She's leaving the Vicarage on Monday for a fortnight, and she wanted this dress particularly. Well, we shall just have to tell her that it can't be done."
"And then she'll go to somebody in New Maxham, and we shall lose a good customer," complained Miss Sophy. "And so pleased as we were to get her too!"
Miss Coxen looked towards Mildred, and Miss Sophy blinked.
"I wonder if it wouldn't do," cogitated Miss Coxen, and Miss Sophy began to dance anew with excitement.
Mildred roused herself from a fit of thought to the consciousness of being talked about.
"I think I could help you, if you like," she said. "I mean, if Miss Gilbert is willing. You could let me have the stuff and I would make it up for her."