But such a novel mark of tender civility caused the woman to exclaim: “Oh, dear! if ye don't sound like wheedlin' to keep me blind.”
Even this was borne with. “Come; it will do you good to rest,” said Arabella.
“And how'll I sleep?”
“By shutting my eye—'peeps,'—as I used to tell my old nurse,” said Adela; and Mrs. Chump, accustomed to an occasional (though not public) bit of wheedling from her, was partially reassured.
“I'll sit with you till you do sleep,” said Arabella.
“Suppose,” Mrs. Chump moaned, “suppose I'm too poor aver to repay ye? If I'm a bankrup'?—oh!”
Arabella smiled. “Whatever I may do is certainly not done for a remuneration, and such a service as this, at least, you need not speak of.”
Mrs. Chump's evident surprise, and doubt of the honesty of the change in her manner, caused Arabella very acutely to feel its dishonesty. She looked at Cornelia with envy. The latter lady was leaning meditatively, her arm on a side of her chair, like a pensive queen, with a ready, mild, embracing look for the company. 'Posture' seemed always to triumph over action.
Before quitting the room, Mrs. Chump asked Mr. Pole whether he would be up early the next morning.
“Very early,—you beat me, if you can,” said he, aware that the question was put as a test to his sincerity.