"Just a little, Maggie."
She drew up his chair to the fire, and knelt down to unlace his boots.
"No, Maggie, I can't let you take my boots off."
"Yes, you can, and you will. Does she ever take your boots off?"
"Never."
"You don't allow her?"
"No. I don't allow her."
"You allow me" said Maggie triumphantly. She was persuaded that (since his wife was denied the joy of waiting on him) hers was the truly desirable position. Majendie had never had the heart to enlighten her.
She pressed his feet with her soft hands, to feel if his stockings were damp, too.
"There's a little hole," she cried. "I shall have to mend that to-night."