"Well, do you know that to-morrow's New Year's Eve and that this mantilla's got to be delivered to-night?
They have been telephoning all day for it.
To-morrow, eh?
Well, don't that make you tired! It does me." An indignant protest quivered through her, but she dared not show resentment.

Only within the last few months had she been subjected to these insults, and only her helplessness had compelled her to bear them.
"I am very sorry," she answered simply, and with a certain dignity.

"I have not been very well.

I have done all I could.

The damage was greater than I expected.