"Oh, please don't. I shouldn't dream——You know, I didn't originally intend to come to tea. But you are so very kind. I am sure you are wondering what brings me."
"Well, to tell you the truth—I am afraid you will think me extremely roundabout, Miss Hartill——"
Clare's mouth twitched.
"But it is not an easy subject to begin. I'm somewhat worried about Alwynne——"
"Again?" Clare had stiffened, but Elsbeth was too nervous to be observant.
"Oh, not her health. She is splendidly well again—Dene did wonders." Clare found Elsbeth's quick little unexplained smile irritating. "No, this is—well, it certainly has something to do with Dene, too!"
"Indeed," said Clare.
Elsbeth continued, delicately tactless: she was always at her worst with her former pupil.
"I daresay you are surprised that I consult you, for we need not pretend, need we, that we have ever quite agreed over Alwynne? You, I know, consider me old-fashioned——" She paused a moment for a disclaimer, but Clare was merely attentive. With a little less suavity she resumed: "And of course I've always thought that you——But that, after all, has nothing to do with the matter."