'Do you mean,' she said, looking up at him rather wistfully now,' that I am always what you call extravagant?'
'Never, that I know of,' said he smiling down at her. 'To be extravagant, is to go beyond bounds; and one who has never been conscious of the bounds, cannot be justly said to have done that.'
'One ought to be conscious of proper bounds,' said Hazel, as if she were a good deal disappointed in herself.
'You are only just beginning to be conscious of anything,' said
Dane audaciously.
'StatementsI cannot think how you find time to get them all up.
Well, Mr. Rollo? what next?'
'I should like to know how soon you are going to let me come home,' said he sitting down by her.
In an instant Hazel was absolutely still, even to the ends of the small fingers that lay folded in her lap, peeping out from the broad lace shadows. And, nicely timed for her, the tea bugle just then rang out, and the door of the red room opened to admit Dingee and the tea tray; with cold partridge, and salad, and delicate loaves of bread, white and brown, and wonderful cake, and a shape of Mrs. Bywank's own special quince jelly. Hazel sprang up to superintend and give directions; but when the little table was spread and wheeled up, she dismissed Dingee and went to making the tea herself.
'I often have tea here when I am alone,' she said,'I mean, when Mr. Falkirk does not come. And I thought perhaps you would like it too.'
'Very much,' returned Dane demurely. 'So much that I am impatient for it to become a stated fact. How long do you mean to keep me at Gyda's?'
'You have such a peculiar way of putting questions,' said Hazel, emulating the composure in everything but her face. 'Never wording them so they can be answered. And there is no use in disturbing them ages beforehand. Shall I give you coffee, Mr. Rollo?'