Miss Nunn’s strong features were moved as if by a suppressed laugh; the colour of her cheeks grew very slightly warm.
“I am a normal human being,” she answered, with an impatient gesture. “I understand perfectly well what the phrase signifies.”
“That is no answer, my dear. Have you ever been in love with any man?”
“Yes. When I was fifteen.”
“And not since,” rejoined the other, shaking her head and smiling. “No, not since?”
“Thank Heaven, no!”
“Then you are not very well able to judge this case. I, on the other hand, can judge it with the very largest understanding. Don’t smile so witheringly, Rhoda. I shall neglect your advice for once.”
“You will bring this girl back, and continue teaching her as before?”
“We have no one here that knows her, and with prudence she need never be talked about by those of our friends who did.”
“Oh, weak—weak—weak!”