I saw that this was meant for sarcasm, so pleasantly responded: 'Yes, please.'
'It's at the top of the house,' she grumbled.
'In that case I will excuse you from fetching it,' I replied, with amiable condescension.
She waited a moment to recover that, and then said: 'You are not going to stop to lunch then?'
'No. Does that surprise you?'
'Yes; it does.'
'Ah, that shews you may be mistaken sometimes.'
She seemed to hesitate a moment as to whether she should carry on the war or not; and then, I suppose, concluded to defer it, though she took unnecessary pains to shew that it was only deferred, frowning angry defiance at me as she went out of the room.
She presently returned with the message that her master thought I could not be sufficiently rested, and hoped I would stay to luncheon; adding, with a grim smile: 'He is not accustomed to ladies who are given to fainting; and does not know how soon they can sometimes get over it.'
'Your master is very kind; but I must go now.'