"I am in no mood for disturbing scenes," she said in her trumpet voice, which she tried in vain to muffle. It had lost every vestige of its sympathetic tone. "You needn't thank me; I haven't acted as I have done for your sake."
Lilly felt very small, and very like a scolded child. Since the days when she had accepted meekly Frau Asmussen's chastisements she had not been so snubbed.
"At first you help me ..." she hesitated, "and then ..."
"As you are here, you shall answer a few questions," said Anna. "Fasten up your dress--it is cold here--and sit down."
Lilly obediently did what she was told.
"To begin with, have I ever done anything to bring about a meeting between you and that young man?"
"No; when could you?"
"That's just what I am asking."
"It was quite the contrary, for you wouldn't even consent at first to my having the riding lessons."
"And when I did consent, have I allowed them to take place without supervision?"