A warning gesture from Elizabeth checked her.
"You may bring the luncheon up here," Elizabeth said to the girl.
Victoria went out and closed the door.
"I believe they would come if we were dying, to know if we would take time to eat," cried Elsie.
"Everything must go on as usual," was Elizabeth's answer.
"How can you stand there and talk so calmly to them!" cried Elsie. "It's enough to drive one frantic."
"It is too late now to be anything but quiet—entirely too late."
Elsie began some shuddering complaints, but Elizabeth did not wait to hear them; she had resumed her promenade, walking with the same restless, eager haste, her eyes seeming to look afar off and unable to fix themselves upon any object in the rooms.
"There is another knock," cried Elsie. "Oh, they'll drive me frantic!"
"Come in," Elizabeth said, sharply.