"Look at her now—dragging across the hall."
But Alwynne, in her gay frock, cheeks, at sight of Clare, suddenly aflame, did not look as if there were much amiss. She was thinner, of course....
Elsbeth, however, had made Clare uneasy. She attacked Alwynne on the following day.
"Your aunt says you're dying, Alwynne. What's the matter?"
"Dear old Elsbeth!" Alwynne laughed lightly.
"Is anything wrong?" Clare did not appear to look at her; nevertheless she did not miss the slight change in Alwynne's face, as she answered with careful cheeriness—
"What should be wrong in this best of all possible——"
Clare caught her up.
"I'm not a fool, Alwynne. What's the matter?"
"I wish you wouldn't discuss me with Elsbeth," said Alwynne uneasily. "I don't like it. I won't have you bothered."