"But I am afraid you have got your work cut out.

Wasn't it very rash of you ?" "I couldn't help it," he repeated briefly.

"And I must just do my best.
But I'd be awfully grateful if you'd take a hand, Cynthia.

Won't you come up and really make friends with her?
She might take things from you that she wouldn't from me." Cynthia looked extremely doubtful.
"I am sure last night she detested me." "How could you tell?
And why should she ?" "I'm twenty years older.

That's quite enough." "You scarcely look a day older, Cynthia." She sighed, and lightly touched his hand, with a caressing gesture he remembered of old.
"Very nice of you to say it--but of course it isn't true.