“There! You feel better, don’t you?” said Miss Betsey, who was the first to notice their entrance. “You look better, anyway.”
“Like two roses,” said Mr Burnet.
Elizabeth laughed and thanked him, and then shook hands with Mr Maxwell.
“I hope you have had a good time, daughter. I have,” said the squire.
“Yes. I see you have had company.”
“Yes, Betsey is always good company. Mr Maxwell came when he saw you pass down the street. He didn’t know Betsey was here, and he thought I might be lonesome.”
“It was very kind,” said Elizabeth.
All the rest sat down, but Mr Maxwell continued standing. The squire would not listen to him, when he said that doubtless his tea would be waiting for him at home, but urged him almost petulantly to remain.
“Lizzie, why don’t you ask the minister to stay?”
For Elizabeth was listening to something that Mr Burnet was saying to Katie, but she turned round when her father spoke to her.