"Yes. And you can call her Maud," said Bunny autocratically. "Can't he, Maud?"
Jake turned his head and looked at her. She was standing before the fire, the red glow all about her, very slim, very graceful, very stately. She did not so much as glance at Jake, only bent a little towards the blaze so that he could not see her face.
"I don't think I dare," said Jake.
"Maud!" Peremptorily Bunny's voice accosted her. "Come over here! Come and sit on my bed!"
It was more of a command than an invitation. Maud straightened herself and turned.
But as she did so, their visitor intervened. "No, don't!" he said. "Sit down right there, Miss Brian, in that easy-chair, and have a rest!"
His voice was peremptory too, but in a different way. Bunny stared at him wide-eyed.
Jake met the stare with an admonitory shake of the head. "Guess Bunny's not wanting you," he said. "Don't listen to anything he says!"
Bunny's mouth opened to protest, remained open for about five seconds, and finally he said, "All right, Maud. You can stay by the fire while we talk."
And Maud, much to her own surprise, sat down in the low chair on the hearth and leaned her aching head back upon the cushion.