A lighted piece of paper was in her hand; forgetting it, she let the flame creep on till it burnt her fingers.

Then she stood up.
'What does she say in the note ?' she asked with deliberation.
Lydia opened her hand and spread out the crumpled paper.

She was going to read aloud, but checked herself and looked at the other piteously.
'You know all about it, don't you?
Thyrza told you ?' 'I suppose I know pretty well,' Totty replied, in the same deliberate and distant way.
'Has she said anything to you about going away ?' 'I don't know as she has.' 'Then look what she's written.' Totty hesitated, then said: 'Thank you, I'd rather not.

It's not my business.

If I was you, I'd speak to Mr.Ackroyd.I know nothing about Thyrza.' 'To Mr.Ackroyd ?' exclaimed Lydia.