Totty relaxed her muscles a little. She smiled, shook her head, laughed uneasily.
'I meant, dear,' Thyrza continued, 'that I hope you do love him, as you're going to marry him. I hope you love him very much, and I hope he loves you. I'm sorry I said that. I thought you wouldn't mind.'
'I don't mind at all, old dear. If you must know—I like him pretty well.'
'But it ought to be more than that—it ought, Totty—much more than that, dear—'
She was trembling. Totty looked at her in surprise, coldly.
'Don't go on like that,' she said. 'There, you've woke the child, of course! Now there'll be two of you crying. See which can make most noise. Now, Nelly! Well, I call this nice!
At the sound of the child's voice, Thyrza at once restrained herself and rose from her chair. Totty managed to quieten her little charge, whom she took upon her lap. She did not look at Thyrza.
'Good-bye, Totty!' said the latter, holding out her hand.
'Good-bye!' Totty returned, but without appearing to notice the hand offered. 'I hope you'll be better before next Monday, Thyrza.'
'You're unkind to-day, Totty. I wish I hadn't come in.'