"Oh, yes, it's better," she assured him. "Only rather stiff. Now, won't you sit down and have your breakfast? Please don't bother about me any more; I've wasted quite enough of your time."
He turned towards the table. "You must have some too. And then, when you're ready, I will drive you home."
"Oh, but that will waste your time still more," she protested. "I'm sure I can walk."
"I'm sure you won't try," he rejoined with blunt deliberation. "I hope you don't mind eating in the kitchen, Miss Elliot. I would have had a fire in the parlour if I had expected you."
"But, of course, I don't mind," she said. "And it's quite the finest old kitchen I've ever seen."
He turned to the old woman who still hovered in the background. "All right, Granny. Sit down and have your own."
"I'll wait on the lady first, Master Jeff," she returned, smiling upon him.
"No. I'm going to wait on the lady," said Jeff. "You sit down."
He had his way. It occurred to Doris that he usually did so. And presently he was waiting upon her as she lay against the cushions, as though she had been a princess in distress.