She could scarcely keep her teeth from chattering, and Mrs. Bathurst noted the fact with another grim smile.
"What am I going to make you do would be more to the purpose, my girl, wouldn't it?" she said. "Sit down there, and you'll find out!"
Dinah leaned upon the little table to steady herself. "Tell me what it is
I am to do!" she said.
"Ah! That's better." A note of bitter humour sounded in Mrs. Bathurst's voice. "Sit down!"
She thrust out a bony hand, and gripped her by the shoulder, forcing her downwards.
Dinah dropped into the chair, and sat motionless.
"Take your pen!" Mrs. Bathurst commanded.
She hesitated; and instantly, with a violent movement, her mother snatched it up and held it in front of her.
"Take it!"
Dinah took it with fingers so numb that they were almost powerless.