"Well, Vi?"
Miss Forster's reply was still briefer; she merely echoed the other's first word. "Well?"
Her ladyship waited; the girl continued still.
"Is that all you have to say to me?"
Miss Forster sighed, the long-drawn sigh of the sick at heart. Her tone was in tune with the sigh.
"Margaret, if I were to start telling you all there is to tell--and I am so tired. I feel as if I hadn't slept for years, and as if I should never sleep again."
Her ladyship's tone was practical.
"That's all very well, my dear; I can see you're not feeling yourself, but don't you think you ought to tell me something?"
"I'll do better than tell you, since actions speak louder than words."
Miss Forster raised the blue velvet cover, and she opened the chest, this time without interruption; from within she took a brown leather bag and held it out to the countess, who observed it with doubtful eyes.