“I am sure Lady Sunderbund will be a great help to us,” said Lady Ella. “We want brightening. There's a dinginess....”
Lady Sunderbund beamed an acknowledgment. “I shall exact a 'eturn,” she said. “I don't mind wo'king, but I shall wo'k like the poo' students in the Middle Ages did, to get my teaching. I've got my own soul to save as well as help saving othas. Since oua last talk—”
She found the bishop handing her bread and butter. For a time the bishop fought a delaying action with the tea-things, while he sought eagerly and vainly in his mind for some good practical topic in which he could entangle and suppress Lady Sunderbund's enthusiasms. From this she broke away by turning suddenly to Lady Ella.
“Youa husband's views,” she said, “we'e a 'eal 'evelation to me. It was like not being blind—all at once.”
Lady Ella was always pleased to hear her husband praised. Her colour brightened a little. “They seem very ordinary views,” she said modestly.
“You share them?” cried Lady Sunderbund.
“But of course,” said Lady Ella.
“Wondyful!” cried Lady Sunderbund.
“Tell me, Lady Sunderbund,” said the bishop, “are you going to alter the outer appearance of the old doctor's house?” And found that at last he had discovered the saving topic.
“Ha'dly at all,” she said. “I shall just have it pointed white and do the doa—I'm not su' how I shall do the doa. Whetha I shall do the doa gold or a vehy, vehy 'itch blue.”