But I was anxious to keep on cordial terms with Minna's friends.

She quarrels with them herself, but that is different.

I suppose it is inevitable if you are on terms of great intimacy with people you don't really care for." "At any rate, _they_ have not interrupted you again ?" "N--no.

But still, I was often interrupted.

Minna has too much to do, and she is not strong just now, and she often sends up one of the children, and I was so nearly fierce with one of them--poor little things!--that I felt the risk was becoming too great, so I have left off writing between breakfast and luncheon, and I get up directly it is light instead.