'Do I disturb you?' he said, noticing her studious attitude.

'You can give me a little help, if you will. I can't make out that
line.'

She gave him one copy and herself opened another. It led to their
reading some fifty lines together.

'Oh, why have we girls to get our knowledge so late and with such
labour!' Annabel exclaimed at length. 'You learn Greek and Latin
when you are children; it ought to be the same with us. I am
impatient; I want to read straight on.'

'You very soon will,' he replied absently. Then, having glanced at
the windows, which were suddenly illumined with a broad slant of
sunlight, he asked: 'Will you come out? It will be delightful after
the rain.'

Annabel was humming over dactylics. She put her book aside with
reluctance.

'I'll go and ask my cousin.'

Egremont averted his face. Annabel went up to Paula's room, knocked,
and entered. From a bustling sound within, it appeared likely that
Miss Tyrrell's business-like attitude at the table had been suddenly
assumed.

'Will you come out, Paula? The rain is over and gone.'