Then, pausing, she held out a perfunctory hand to Doris.
"And we really can't persuade you to come too ?" The tone was careless and patronising.

It brought the sudden red to Doris's cheek.

For one moment she was tempted to say--"Thank you--since you are so kind--after all, why not ?"--just that she might see the change in those large, malicious eyes--might catch their owner unawares, for once.

But, as usual, nerve failed her.

She merely said that her drawing would keep her all August in town; and that London, empty, was the best possible place for work.