"That's no reason why you should try to do it with half your energies sapped for want of sleep. Mr. Mayhew has been here for you and tried to get to you; but I wouldn't let him," she said assertively.
"He is learning obedience diligently, it seems," I observed.
"He is a very good fellow, and I strained my influence with him, I can tell you," she retorted, with a smile of some occult meaning.
"He is the prince of good fellows, and the staunchest of friends, and I congratulate you on having such influence to strain."
"Oh, men are not difficult to manage, if properly handled."
"Some of us, that is; but I hope he has been duly attentive in my absence," I said, casually, and with a glance.
"What was the poor man to do? He couldn't very well leave us in the lurch, I suppose? You were away, and we'd positively no one else."
"To say nothing of his own inclinations," I added.
"To say nothing of his own inclinations," she repeated. "Mercy is not exactly the kind of girl to scare a man away from her, I should hope."
"A supposition that might be extended to include——"