"No, no," said Edwin, leaning over between young Clara and Rupert.
"She's feeling for your hand, Edwin," said Clara.
He quickly took her hot, brittle fingers; they seemed to cling to his for essential support.
"Have you--been to the works?" Auntie Hamps asked the question as though the answer to it would end all trouble.
"No," he said. "Not yet."
"Eh! That's right! That's right!" she murmured, apparently much impressed by a new proof of Edwin's wisdom.
"I've had a sleep."
"What?"
"I've been having a sleep," he repeated more loudly.
"Eh! That's right! That's right.... I'm so glad--the children have been to see me.... Amy--did you kiss me?" Auntie Hamps looked at Amy hard, as if for the first time.