Adolph suddenly lurched forward.
“Well, you’re pretty well beat, I should think,” he said; “what about a bottle of wine?”
“Oh, no! Indeed, no!” protested Marie, standing by Alys’ side, and placing a hand upon her shoulder. “We only want to be left in peace.”
“Oh! but you must!” said Adolph. “Mustn’t they, Tansy?”
“Of course they musht,” said Tansy, eagerly. “Ring for wine. Champagne’s the stuff: we’ve plenty of it.”
Marie suddenly made up her mind.
“My sister is ill—can’t you see she is? I beg you to leave us. You have been very good to us: we are both grateful to you: do not spoil everything by thrusting upon us further kindness that ... that is not to be endured.”
“She’s right,” said Tansy, with drunken conviction, “absholutely right. What did I say? ‘Leave ’em a bit': thash what I said. Leave ’em to simmer down. Now isn’t that just what I said?”
“Very well,” said Adolph. “If you want anything, just ring. Mrs. Knumf will attend to you.”
They left the room by the door through which they had entered, and Marie heard the key turn in the lock.