"I'm not," she said. "I'm going mad. To-day, in that wood.... Louise came running after me—and I was awake...."
Suddenly she gave a little ripple of high-pitched laughter.
"Oh, Mr. Lumsden! Isn't this a ridiculous conversation? And your face—you're so absurd when you frown.... You make me laugh.... You make me laugh...."
She broke off. Roger, with a swift movement, had turned and was standing over her.
"Now shut up!" he said sharply. "Shut up! D'you hear? Shut up this instant, and sit down." He put his hand on her shoulder and jerked her back into the chair.
The shock of his roughness checked her hysterics, as he had intended it should. She sat limply, her head in her hand, trying not to cry. He watched her.
"Pull yourself together, Alwynne," he said more gently.
Her lips quivered, but she nodded valiantly.
"I will. Just wait a minute. I don't want to make a fool of myself." Then, with a quavering laugh, "Oh, Roger, this is pleasant for you!"
He laughed.