Mrs. Smee protruded her tongue and drew it slowly in.
“Hist!” she exclaimed.
Along the corridor the call-boy was going his rounds.
“First act beginners,” chirped he.
Miss Sinquier quivered.
“... Soften all hostile hearts and let them love me ...” she prayed.
XVI
THE sound of rain-drops falling vigorously upon the glass roof awoke her. A few wind-tossed, fan-shaped leaves tinged with hectic autumnal colours spotted marvellously the skylight without, half-screening the pale and monotonous sky beyond.
With a yawn she sat up amid her pillows, cushioning her chin on her knees.