Elfie's face had struck me already as looking strangely tired and pale, with a complete absence of brightness in the black eyes. I saw her now looking at Denham in a hungry pitiful fashion, which quite touched me, and the muscles of her throat were working painfully. She asked no questions, and I felt sure that she could not trust her voice. One or two more remarks passed about the foreign letters; and the next moment she had slid her chair back, and had rushed from the room.
"Hallo!" exclaimed Denham.
"She's only in a hurry to ask what father has heard," said Nona.
Tea lasted as long as Denham's appetite, which is saying a good deal. It came to an end in time, however, like everything else; and we had just risen from table, when I heard Pet's voice saying—
"What are we to call Miss Conway?"
"Miss Conway, of course," Miss Millington answered.
"What would you like to call me, Pet?" I asked.
Pet's eyes grew round. "I don't see what we can," she answered. "Because we always call Miss Jackson 'Jackie,' and Miss Millington 'Millie.' But we couldn't call you 'Connie!'"
"For shame, Pet! How can you be so ridiculous," cried Thyrza.
Pet turned crimson at the rebuke, and fled to the shelter of Miss Millington's arms.