'Oh, goodness me, goodness me, how ill I do feel,' said May, as she started and yawned in a way that betokened the nervous lassitude she was suffering from.
'Perhaps you had better see the doctor,' said Alice significantly.
'I'm worried. Fred hasn't been as nice lately as he used to be.'
'What has he done?'
'Last night he promised to meet me in the Square, and he wrote to say he couldn't come, that he was forced to go and see an important customer about some horses.'
'Perhaps he had.'
'I dare say he had, but what of that? It does not make it any less disagreeable for me to be disappointed.'
'How cross you are, May! I came out on purpose to talk to you on this very subject. I hope you won't be angry, but I think it is my duty to tell you that people are beginning to talk about you.'
'And what do they say?'
'Well, they say many unpleasant things; you know how ill-natured people are.'