“I don’t know.”
“How can you say you don’t know! Why, it’s awful. You make me feel I shall go out of my mind.”
“But I don’t know,” said Alvina.
“It’s incredible! Simply incredible! I believe you’re out of your senses. I used to think sometimes there was something wrong with your mother. And that’s what it is with you. You’re not quite right in your mind. You need to be looked after.”
“Do I, Miss Pinnegar! Ah, well, don’t you trouble to look after me, will you?”
“No one will if I don’t.”
“I hope no one will.”
There was a pause.
“I’m ashamed to live another day in Woodhouse,” said Miss Pinnegar.
“I’m leaving it for ever,” said Alvina.