Water, Thomas--and a little more jelly, I think, before you take it away." When Frank presented himself in the evening, ignorant of the first elements of his part, she took him in hand, as a middle-aged schoolmistress might have taken in hand a backward little boy.

The few attempts he made to vary the sternly practical nature of the evening's occupation by slipping in compliments sidelong she put away from her with the contemptuous self-possession of a woman of twice her age.

She literally forced him into his part.

Her father fell asleep in his chair.
Mrs.Vanstone and Miss Garth lost their interest in the proceedings, retired to the further end of the room, and spoke together in whispers.
It grew later and later; and still Magdalen never flinched from her task--still, with equal perseverance, Norah, who had been on the watch all through the evening, kept on the watch to the end.

The distrust darkened and darkened on her face as she looked at her sister and Frank; as she saw how close they sat together, devoted to the same interest and working to the same end.