It seemed to her that Katharine possessed a curious power of drawing near and receding, which sent alternate emotions through her far more quickly than was usual, and kept her in a condition of curious alertness.

Desiring to classify her, Mary bethought her of the convenient term "egoist." "She's an egoist," she said to herself, and stored that word up to give to Ralph one day when, as it would certainly fall out, they were discussing Miss Hilbery.
"Heavens, what a mess there'll be to-morrow morning!" Katharine exclaimed.

"I hope you don't sleep in this room, Miss Datchet ?" Mary laughed.
"What are you laughing at ?" Katharine demanded.
"I won't tell you." "Let me guess.

You were laughing because you thought I'd changed the conversation ?" "No." "Because you think--" She paused.
"If you want to know, I was laughing at the way you said Miss Datchet." "Mary, then.

Mary, Mary, Mary." So saying, Katharine drew back the curtain in order, perhaps, to conceal the momentary flush of pleasure which is caused by coming perceptibly nearer to another person.
"Mary Datchet," said Mary.