Jasper, in considerable annoyance, withdrew, but returned after a minute and placed her ear to the keyhole. Lady Frances did not greatly mind, however, whether she was overheard or not.
“Get up, Evelyn,” she said. “Get up at once and dress yourself.”
“I—I don’t want to get up,” murmured Evelyn.
“Come! I am waiting.”
Lady Frances sat down on a chair. Her eyes traveled slowly round the disorderly room; displeasure grew greater in her face.
“Get up, my dear—get up,” she said. “I am waiting.”
“But I don’t want to.”
“I am afraid your wanting to or not wanting to makes little or no difference, Evelyn. I stay here until you get up. You need not hurry yourself; I will give you until lunch-time if necessary, but until you get up I stay here.”
“And if,” said Evelyn in a tremulous voice, “I don’t get up until after lunch?”
“Then you do without food; you have nothing to eat until you get up. Now, do not let us discuss this point any longer; I want to be busy over my accounts.”