"Margharita, you are better, dear? I have been waiting here more than an hour for you."
Then, before I could prevent him, he had kissed me. Let me be honest, though, here, at any rate. Did I really try to prevent him? I think not.
"Where is Gracie?" I asked, looking round. "And what have you done to my Ottos?"
"Gracie has gone out with the nurse," he answered, laughing, "and as for that wretched volume, well, I've got a good mind to send the rest after it. You've a nasty brain-worrying lot of lesson books here. I've been looking through them."
"One cannot teach without them. Elementary books always look tiresome, but they are indispensable."
"Not for you any longer, I'm glad to say," he remarked.
"Why not?"
He looked at me, surprised.
"Surely you don't expect to go on teaching that child?" he asked. "You are a visitor here now, and I am responsible for your entertainment. To commence with, I have invited myself to breakfast with you. The tray is here, as you perceive, and the kettle is boiling. Kindly make the tea."
I did as I was bid, with a meekness which astonished myself, and he sat opposite to me. The servant brought in the remainder of the things, and closed the door. Gracie was not coming.