Terribly trying.

"Yes, thanks, I will." She leaned back in the chair with folded arms while I poured another cup of tea for her, and Fyne went out to pacify the dog which, tied up under the porch, had become suddenly very indignant at somebody having the audacity to walk along the lane.

Mrs.
Fyne stirred her tea for a long time, drank a little, put the cup down and said with that air of accepting all the consequences: "Silence would have been unfair.

I don't think it would have been kind either.

I told her that she must be prepared for the world passing a very severe judgment on her father.