Indeed she told us that she hasn't been very well lately.

But I think we shall like her if we come to know her better.' 'It was rather awkward, Marian,' the elder sister explained.

'We felt obliged to say something about Mr Reardon's books, but we haven't read any of them yet, you know, so I just said that I hoped soon to read his new novel.

"I suppose you have seen reviews of it ?" she asked at once.
Of course I ought to have had the courage to say no, but I admitted that I had seen one or two--Jasper showed us them.

She looked very much annoyed, and after that we didn't find much to talk about.' 'The reviews are very disagreeable,' said Marian with a troubled face.
'I have read the book since I saw you the other day, and I am afraid it isn't good, but I have seen many worse novels more kindly reviewed.' 'Jasper says it's because Mr Reardon has no friends among the journalists.' 'Still,' replied Marian, 'I'm afraid they couldn't have given the book much praise, if they wrote honestly.