“Oh, it isn’t worth hearing, Mr Snell,” she replied with a bitter laugh; “its too old-fashioned for these days. I should ’a thought Lilac owed summat to us, but my husband don’t seem to take no count of that at all. Not that it matters to me.”
As she spoke, with the colour rising in her face and a voice very near tears, the door opened and Lilac came quickly in. The conversation stopped suddenly, all eyes were fixed on her; perhaps never since she had been Queen had her presence caused so much attention: even Agnetta paused in her repast, and looked curiously round to see what she would do or say.
Without giving a glance at anyone else in the room, Lilac walked straight up to where Mrs Greenways sat at the head of the table:
“Aunt,” she said rather breathlessly, “I’ve come to say as I’ve made up my mind.”
Mrs Greenways straightened herself to receive the blow. She knew what was coming, and it was hard to be humiliated in the presence of the cobbler, yet she would put a brave face upon it. With a great effort she managed to say carelessly:
“It don’t matter just now, Lilac. Sit down and get your tea.”
But Mr Greenways quite spoilt the effect of this speech.
“No, no,” he called out. “Let her speak. Let’s hear what she’s got to say. Here’s Mr Snell’d like to hear it too. Speak out, Lilac.”
Thus encouraged, Lilac turned a little towards her uncle and Joshua.
“I’ve made up my mind as I’d rather bide here, please,” she said.