'Is he coming ?' 'Not for Christmas, I'm afraid, dear.

He's still very busy.' 'But he sent you a message ?' 'Yes.

He would have come if he could.' 'Did you tell Alice I wanted to see her?
Why didn't she come up?
Why did she stay such a short time ?' 'She couldn't stay to-night, Jane.

Are you easy still, love ?' 'Oh, I did so want to see her.

Why couldn't she stop, Emma?
It wasn't kind of her to go without seeing me.