Again she conveyed to me the impression that I had shown bad taste in asking a personal question—and I felt this to be unjust, because in justice, she would have been forced to admit that her words were a challenge.
"You explain to me why one writes journals, and then when I presume upon the inference you snub me—You are not fair, Miss Sharp—"
"It would be better to stick to business," was all she answered—"will you dictate, please?"
I was utterly exasperated—.
"No, I won't!—If you only admit by inference that you are lonely, I say it right out—I am abominably lonely this morning and I want to talk to you.—Did I see you at the Duchesse de Courville-Hautevine's on Wednesday last?"
"Possibly."
I literally had not the pluck to ask her what she was doing there. However, she went on—.
"There are still many wounded who require bandages—."
That was it! of course—she was bringing bandages!
"She is a splendid woman, the Duchesse, she was a friend of my mother's—" I said.