A mist began to rise in her brain, making vague the cuckoo's call, blurring even the clear sweet notes of the thrush. A delicious drowsiness crept over her. She gave herself to it with conscious delight. It was so exquisite to feel the grim band that had bound her brow with such cruel tightness relax at last and fall away. Very blissfully she drifted into slumber.
It was nearly two hours later that she became somewhat suddenly aware of feet sauntering under her window and young voices talking together.
"Hullo!" said one abruptly, it was Bunny's speaking with careless friendliness. "Stand still a minute! There's an immense green caterpillar waving to me from your hat-brim."
A voice that was like a boy's, dear, bell-like, made instant response.
"Oh hell! Do take it off!"
Maud started wide awake with involuntary shrinking.
There came a chuckle from Bunny and, after a pause and the eloquent crunch of a heel on the gravel, his voice on a note of laughter. "I didn't say it!"
"Great Scott!" ejaculated the clear boyish tones. "Do you mean you're shocked?"
"Not at all," said Bunny courteously.
"Well then, what does it matter who said it?" demanded the other.
"It doesn't matter," said Bunny, still suppressing merriment. "Except that it isn't said in this house."