"I know," said Lucy, "as much as I've any right to. But unluckily the thing I want to know——"
"Is what you haven't any right to?"
"I'm afraid I haven't. The thing I want to know is simply whether I can help you in any way."
She smiled. "Ah," said she, "you have said it."
"Haven't I said it differently?"
"I'm not sure. You looked different when you said it; that's something."
"I know I've no right to say it at all. What I mean is that if I could do anything for you without boring you, without forcing myself on your acquaintance, I'd be most awfully glad. You know you needn't recognise me afterward unless you like. Have I put it differently now?"
"Yes; I don't think I've ever heard it put quite that way before."
There was a long pause in which Lucy vainly sought for illumination.
"No," said Mrs. Tailleur, as if to herself; "I should never know what you were going to say or do next."