The gulf between them had widened.
From the kitchen came the persistent sound of whispering voices. The green parrot turned sideways on the board beyond the pile of rolled-up mattresses, and looked, with one round eye, steadfastly at Hermione.
An almost intolerable sensation of desertion swept over her. She felt as if every one hated her.
“Would you mind shutting that door?” she said to Maddalena, pointing towards the kitchen.
The sound of whispers ceased. The women within were listening.
“Signora, we always keep it open.”
“But I have something to say to you that I wish to say in private.”
“Si!”
The exclamation was suspicious. The voice sounded harsher than before. In the kitchen the silence seemed to increase, to thrill with anxious curiosity.
“Please shut that door.”