“Yes.”
“I didn't know but it was some course of treatment. You pressed his hand so affectionately. I said to myself, Well, Annie's either an enthusiastic patient, or else—”
“What?” demanded Annie, at the little stop Lyra made.
“Well, you know what people do say, Annie.”
“What?”
“Why, that you're very much out of health, or—” Lyra made another of her tantalising stops.
“Or what?”
“Or Dr. Morrell is very much in love.”
“Lyra, I can't allow you to say such things to me.”
“No; that's what I've kept saying to myself all the time. But you would have it out of me. I didn't want to say it.”