"Never less wasted since I was born," protested Harry, who had both enjoyed and learnt.
"No, really I think not," she agreed, smiling. "Flora has her power."
The remark grated on him; he wanted nothing of Flora and her power; it was indeed rather an unfortunate introduction to the business of the afternoon; it pointed Harry's quills a little. Lady Evenswood, with a quick perception, tried to retrieve the observation.
"But she likes people who are independent best," she went on. "So does Robert, if it comes to that. Indeed he never does a job for anyone."
"Carries that too far in my opinion," commented Southend. The moment for diplomacy approached.
But when it came to the point, Lady Evenswood suavely took the task out of his hands. Her instinct told her that she could do it best; he soon came to agree. She had that delicacy which he desired but lacked; she could claim silence when he must have suffered interruption; she could excuse her interference on the ground of old friendship; she could plead an interest which might seem impertinent in him. Above all, she could be elusively lucid and make herself understood without any bluntness of statement.
"If it could be so managed that the whole miserable accident should be blotted out and forgotten!" she exclaimed, as though she implored a personal favor.
"How can that be?" asked Harry. "I was in, and I am out, Lady Evenswood."
"You're out, and your cousin's in, yes." Harry's eyes noted the words and dwelt on her face. "She can't be happy in that state of affairs either."