6/18 The strangely altered girl tore her hand away and burst into a violent fit of crying. Mrs.Linley took her daughter on her knee, and gave Sydney's outbreak of agitation time to subside. There were no feverish appearances in her face, there was no feverish heat in her skin when their hands had touched each other for a moment. In all probability the mischief was nervous mischief, and the outburst of weeping was an hysterical effort at relief. As sensibly and kindly self-possessed as ever, Mrs.Linley told her that she only wanted rest and quiet. |