But the moisture disappeared almost instantly, and her skin was dry and burning.
Then the time came, and it was four o'clock.
Elettra opened the door and brought in the tea things on a large silver tray, set them down, and went to get the little tea-table, that was made with a shelf below, between the four legs, as a table with two stories.
"Let me make it," said Matilde, cheerfully; "I like to do it." She laid down her work, and Elettra set the table before her knees, with its high silver urn, and all the necessary little implements.

Veronica found herself on the other side of it, for Matilde had carefully chosen her seat when she had first come, placing herself in such a way with regard to Veronica as to make the present result almost inevitable unless the girl moved into a very inconvenient position.
The big grey Maltese cat came in through the still open door, in the hope of cream at the tea hour, as usual.

The creature rubbed itself along Elettra's skirt while she was lighting the spirit lamp under the urn, which contained water already almost boiling.
"Will you kindly call the count ?" said Matilde, addressing the maid.
Elettra left the room, and Matilde settled herself to make the tea, as women do, raising her elbow a little on each side and then dropping them again, bending her face down to see whether the lamp were burning well, opening the teapot, pouring a little hot water into it, opening and shutting the tea-caddy, and settling each spoon in each saucer in a dainty and utterly futile way.
The cat rubbed its grey sides against Veronica's skirt and against her little slipper, as she sat there, one knee crossed over the other.

The young girl bent down and stroked it, and hesitated, looking at the tea-table, and not wishing to disturb the things to take a saucer for the cat until the tea was made.

As she bent down, Matilde took her handkerchief quietly from her pocket and laid it quite naturally in her lap.