nk you. Pray don't trouble. I prefer to stay
where I am."

"I'll move you back again if you don't like it," he said coolly.
"There! Now that branch screens you nicely. The sun has moved since
you first came out, I expect. Confess, now, that is more comfortable!"

She would not confess, and she could not deny, so she simply dropped her
eyelids and refused to answer; but a little thing like that would not
daunt Will Dudley, and he went on talking as if she had thanked him as
graciously as possible. Presently, however, the hospital nurse gave us
a private signal that Vere was getting tired and ought to rest, so we
all strolled away and left them alone together beneath the tree.

We had only three days more at the Grange, and during them Rachel
devoted herself as much as possible to Vere, trotting between the house
and the beech-trees on everlasting missions, and reading aloud for hours
together from stupid novels, which I am sure bored her to extinction.
Vere herself did not seem to listen very attentively, but I think the
sweet, rather monotonous voice had a soothing effect on her nerves; she
was relieved to be spared talking, and also intent on studying this
strange specimen of human nature.

"Oh, admirable but dullest of Rachels, she absolutely delights in doing
what she dislikes! It was as good as a play to watch her face yesterday
while she read aloud the reflections of the worldly Lady Peggy! They
evidently gave her nerves a severe shock, but as for omitting a passage,
as for even skipping an objectionable word, no! not if her life depended
upon it. `It is my duty, and I will.' That is her motto in life. How
boring people are who do their duty!" drawled Vere languidly on the last
afternoon, as poor Rachel left her to go back to the other invalid, who
was no doubt growling like a bear in his den as he waited for her
return. Everyone seemed to take Rachel's help for granted, and to think
it superfluous to thank her. Even Will himself is far less attentive to
her wants than my _fiance_ shall be when I have one. I simply couldn't
stand being treated like a favourite aunt, and really and truly he
behaves far more as if she were that, than his future wife. He is never
in the least tiny bit excited or agitated about seeing her.

I wouldn't admit this to Vere for a thousand pounds, but I felt cross
all the same, and said snappishly--

"It's a pity she wasted her time, since you were only jeering at her fo