"Did not I see you walking this afternoon without your crutches?"

"Yes, ma'am, I was trying to see if I could not do without them
entirely."

"Did the experiment cause you any pain?"

"No pain exactly, but I find my ankle still weak."



"Be careful not to overstrain it; by degrees it will strengthen if
you use it moderately. By the by, you are now well enough to come to
the table; and from breakfast to-morrow you will take your meals
with us in the dining-room."

A shiver of apprehension seized Edna, and in a frightened tone she
ejaculated:

"Ma'am!"

"I say, in future you will eat at the table instead of here in this
room."

"If you please, Mrs. Murray, I would rather stay here."

"Pray, what possible objection can you have to the dining-room?"

Edna averted her head, but wrung her fingers nervously.