Lucy offered to invite other neighbors; Mrs. Bazalgette replied she didn't want to be bothered with rurality. “You can ask Captain Dodd, if you like; there is no need to invite the sister.”
“Oh yes, I must; my uncle likes her the best.”
“But I don't; and I am only here for a day or two.”
“Miss Dodd would be hurt. It would be unkind—discourteous.”
“No, no. She watches him all the time like a little dragon.”
“Apres? We have no sinister designs on Mr. Dodd, have we?” and something unusually keen flashed upon Aunt Bazalgette out of the tail of the quiet Lucy's eye.
Mrs. Bazalgette looked cross. “Nonsense, Lucy; so tiresome! Can't we have an agreeable person without tacking on a disagreeable one?”
“Aunt,” said Lucy, pathetically, “ask me anything else in the world, but don't ask me to be rude, for I can't.”
“Well, then, you are bound to entertain her, since she is your choice, and leave me mine.”
Lucy acquiesced softly.