'I am really very obliged to you for having broken the ice: after all, I have not been badly submerged.

I soon rose to the surface when Lesbia held out a helping hand.' 'Well, now, Ursula, do you not agree with me ?--was not Lesbia a darling ?' 'She was very nice and sisterly,' I confessed.

'She has more in her than I ever thought.

Poor little thing! I am afraid she is very unhappy, only she hides it so.' 'Just so.

That shows her good sense: the world is very intolerant of a protracted grief; its victims must learn to dry their eyes quickly.' Uncle Max was becoming philosophical: this would never do.
'Never mind about Lesbia,' I observed impatiently, 'we can talk about her in the next room; what I want to know is, how soon I may come to Heathfield.' For I knew how dilatory men can be about other people's business, and I fully expected that Uncle Max would put me off to the summer.
'You may come as soon as you like,' he returned, rather too carelessly.
'Shall we say next week, or will that be too early ?' I suppressed my astonishment cleverly, but was down on him in a moment.
'I should like to have some place found for me first,' I remarked sententiously; 'you must take lodgings for me first, and then I can settle my plans.' 'Oh, that is done already,' he observed cheerfully.