I really could not help it." "You did not lie very long." "Not when I first fell; that was only a few seconds, I know.

But I must have lain there nearly ten minutes after I recovered." "You were nearly a minute insensible when you first fell, and when you recovered you only rested for about one second.

After that you raved, and I invented suitable answers until you suddenly asked me what I was talking about." Gertrude reddened a little as the possibility of her having raved indiscreetly occurred to her.

"It was very silly of me to faint," she said.
"You could not help it; you are only human.

I shall walk with you to the Beeches." "Thank you; I will not trouble you," she said quickly.
He shook his head.