"All wrong," replied Clarice, quickly. "I have been most anxious to see you, dear. I want help."
"I should think you were clever enough to do without any help I could give you," said Ackworth, admiringly, for he looked upon Miss Baird as a Queen Elizabeth-cum-Catherine-George Eliot kind of woman. "Is Mr. Horran any better?"
"No--that is, he's asleep."
"He was asleep last time I was here."
"Yes. He then slept for ten hours and woke up to drop asleep again for a longer period."
"What a dormouse sort of existence. Is it that which worries you?"
"No. Uncle Henry is no better and no worse than he ever was. I have several things to worry me. Ferdy is engaged to Prudence Clarke."
"Lucky man. She's a pretty girl," said Anthony; "that shouldn't worry you, dearest. You wished to have her for a sister-in-law."
"Yes, but there's Sarah Dumps."
"What a name. Who is Sarah Dumps?"