Hermione found herself in a difficulty. She began to detail exactly what had passed, and came to a standstill. The words uttered did not sound nearly so heinous on a repetition as they had first sounded to herself. After all, it had been more a question of tone and manner than of words, and Hermione was not clever at reproducing another's manner. After a break she began again, only to come to a second standstill, tears of vexation filling her eyes.
"Is that all?"
"No; I can't make you understand. There was more, of course. But, it was the way she did it—"
"That I can believe. Much more depends upon the way in which a word is said than upon the word itself. Still, I can see no real cause for a serious break with your relations."
"I don't want to have a break. Only I cannot go to East Bourne."
"Because you were not told of the plan till after Mrs. Trevor!"
Hermione rose suddenly. "I see I shall have no help or sympathy here. I thought things would be different. It is of no use my staying longer. Please tall Marjory—"
"No, I am not going to tell Marjory anything. You shall tell her yourself. Why, Hermione, my child," he went on kindly, "you are not going to take offence with such an old friend as I am. That would be strange indeed. Try to be wise, and to look upon this matter in the right light."
"I am not bound to go to East Bourne unless I wish."
"Not bound in the abstract, but some attention to your cousins' wishes is their due. If Mr. Dalrymple is content to leave you behind—"