'Are you too hot?'
'Dear!—don't talk about me! But you promised me to be gone before August.'
She knelt down by Eleanor's bedside, holding her hands, imploring her with her deep blue eyes.
'Well, it's only a few days more,' said Eleanor, guiltily. 'Do let's take it leisurely! It's so horrid to be hurried in one's packing. Look at all these things!'
She waved her hand desperately round the little room, choked up with miscellaneous boxes; then laid both hands on Lucy's shoulders, coaxing and smiling at her like a child.
Lucy soon convinced herself that it was of no use to argue. She must just submit, unless she were prepared to go to lengths of self-assertion which might excite Eleanor and bring on a heart attack.
So, setting her teeth, she yielded.
'Friday week, then—for the last, last day!—And Mr. Manisty?'
She had risen from her knees and stood looking down at Eleanor. Her cheek had reddened, but Eleanor admired her stateliness.
'Oh, we must keep Edward. We want him for courier. I gave you trouble enough, on the journey here.'