She sat at the head of the table, helped Nelly, gave all the orders, and was extraordinarily brisk and cheerful.
Nelly scarcely touched anything, and Mrs.Simpson who waited was much concerned.
'Perhaps you'd tell Simpson anything you could fancy, Madam,' she said anxiously in Nelly's ear, as she handed the fruit.

Nelly must needs smile when anyone spoke kindly to her.

She smiled now, though very wearily.
'Why, it's all beautiful, thank you.

But I'm not hungry.' 'We'll have coffee in the drawing-room, please, Mrs.Simpson,' said Bridget rising--a tall masterful figure, in a black silk dress, which she kept for best occasions.

'Now Nelly, you must rest.' Nelly let herself be put on the sofa in the drawing-room, and Bridget--after praising the coffee, the softness of the chairs, the beauty of the Japanese lilies, and much speculation on the value of the Persian carpet which, she finally decided, was old and priceless--announced that she was going for a walk.
'Why don't you come too, Nelly?
Come and look at the shops.