“You have not been very well. But you are better now. Let me help you to get up.”
I held out my hand. Putting hers into it, she rose to her feet with a little spring. When she took her hand away, on mine there was a ruddy smirch. The condition of her plum-coloured garment, and of the bright green ribbons, seemed to have become more conspicuous even than before.
“Hadn’t you better take off your cloak?”
She looked at me as if amazed.
“Take off my cloak? Why should I?”
“You will be more comfortable without it.”
“Do you think so? Then of course I’ll take it off.”
She removed her cloak, with my assistance. I flung it over the back of a chair.
“You will find water there with which to wash your hands and face.”
Again she eyed me with that suggestion of surprise.