'What hobby do you fly to ?' 'I mend the house-linen, and I tie down the jam,' said Lucy, laughing.

'You have heard me play--so you know I don't do that well! And I can't draw a hay-stack.' 'You play very well,' said Eleanor embarrassed, as they moved towards the dining-room.
'Just well enough to send Uncle Ben to sleep when he's tired! I learnt it for that.

Will you play to me afterwards ?' 'With pleasure,' said Eleanor, a little formally.
How long the luncheon seemed! Eleanor, a white shadow in her black transparent dress, toyed with her food, eat nothing, and complained of the waits between the courses.
Lucy reminded her that there were fifty steps between the kitchen and their apartment.

Eleanor did not seem to hear her; she had apparently forgotten her own remark, and was staring absently before her.

When she spoke next it was about London, and the June season.