"Why couldn't you all have sense to keep clear of that?"
"Denham, for shame! It was father who spoke!"
"Call Millie, somebody! Millie will know best what to do."
"Yes, Millie knows how to manage. Call Millie."
"Mother never likes a fuss made about Elfie, Miss Conway!"
I paid no attention to any of them, but dipped my hand into a tumbler, and dashed water into Elfie's face. Then I carried her resolutely through the throng, past Miss Millington as she entered in response to a summons, and into the study. There I laid her on a sofa, kneeling beside her. The rigidity and the fixed stare passed into a burst of the most passionate weeping. Miss Millington drew close, talking and trying to take possession of the sobbing girl; but Elfie turned from her, and clung wildly to me.
"Elfie is very wrong. She ought not to give way like this," Maggie's voice said.
"She would not, but for being petted," observed Miss Millington.
Maggie took her cue from the suggestion. "It will never do to pet Elfie when she is hysterical, Miss Conway. Mother never allows anything of the sort."
I looked up, and said, "Maggie, there are too many of us here. Elfie will leave off, if she is quiet. You and I are quite enough."