He declined.

Lying on the sofa, he still tormented himself with doubt whether he might speak with Mrs.Baxendale.That lady put an end to his hesitation by herself coming to his room.

He sprang up.
'Don't move, don't move!' she exclaimed in her cheery way.

'I have only come to ask why you resolve to starve yourself.

You can't have had lunch anywhere ?' 'No; I am not hungry.' 'A headache ?' she asked, looking at him with kind shrewdness.
'A little, perhaps.' 'Then at all events you will have tea.