It was one o'clock when the girls returned, but she had given orders that Miss Tomalin should at once come to see her, and May, flushed, resplendent, entered the dimly-lighted room.
"Well, have you enjoyed yourself ?" The voice was a shock to May's ears.

After those to which she had been listening, it sounded sepulchral.
"Very much indeed.

A delightful time!" No token of affection had a place in their greeting.

The old autocrat could not bring herself to offer, or ask for, tenderness; but in her eyes, always expressive of admiration when she looked at May, might have been read something like hunger of the heart.
"Sit down, my dear." Even this form of address was exceptional.

"Tell me all about it.