She went home instead, but there was something she wanted to ask Tommy now, and the next time she saw him she began at once.

Grizel always began at once, often in the middle, she saw what she was making for so clearly.
"Do you know what it means when there are red spots in your cheeks, that used not to be there ?" Tommy knew at once to whom she was referring, for he had heard the gossip of the youth of Monypenny, and he hesitated to answer.
"And if, when you cough, you bring up a tiny speck of blood ?" "I would get a bottle frae the doctor," said Tommy, evasively.
"She won't have the doctor," answered Grizel, unguardedly, and then with a look dared Tommy to say that she spoke of her mother.
"Does it mean you are dying ?" "I--I--oh, no, they soon get better." He said this because he was so sorry for Grizel.

There never was a more sympathetic nature than Tommy's.

At every time of his life his pity was easily roused for persons in distress, and he sought to comfort them by shutting their eyes to the truth as long as possible.

This sometimes brought relief to them, but it was useless to Grizel, who must face her troubles.
"Why don't you answer truthfully ?" she cried, with vehemence.