"Us, you mean? For what she did last night, and this morning?"
"Uh-huh."
"Nothing, grandmother."
"Nonsense! Compel her to set price. If she won't, it's because she hopes you'll pay more than's the custom. I know the trick. Don't be caught. Pay her regular price, and say she mustn't come, 'less we send. Won't pay, when we don't send."
Katherine felt herself flushing furiously from neck to forehead. "I wouldn't dare offer Mrs. Slawson money, grandmother. I can't imagine what she'd do, if I did. She came to help us out of pure friendliness. She did more than we could ever pay her for. She's put me under deep obligation."
"Pooh! Obligation! One in that class! When you've paid her, you've paid her."
Katherine turned her face away. "Let's not discuss it, grandmother. You oughtn't to talk much, just yet. Let's see! First, I'll get a basin and warm water, and give you a lovely bath, and afterwards, you can have your breakfast. I'll go down myself and prepare it, as soon as——"
Madam Crewe gave vent to a sound Katherine was painfully familiar with—something between a sneer, a snort, and a groan of exasperation.
"How many lovely baths d'you calculate I can stand in twelve hours? One last night. Another five A.M. and, now, you want to give me a third!"
"Mrs. Slawson bathed you before she went?" Katherine demanded incredulously.