“I must admit, Mrs Null,” said Lawrence, “that I am very inquisitive, but you can easily understand how much I am troubled and perplexed.”

“I expect Miss March’s going away troubled you more than anything else,” said she.

“That is true,” he answered, “but then there are other things which give me a great deal of anxiety.  I came here to be, for a day or two, the guest of a lady on whom I have no manner of claim for prolonged hospitality.  And now here I am, compelled to stay in this room and depend on her kindness or forbearance for everything I have.  I would go away, immediately, but I know it would injure me to travel.  The few steps I took yesterday have probably set me back for several days.”

“Oh, it would never do for you to travel,” said she, “with such a sprained ankle as you have.  It would certainly injure you very much to be driven all the way to the Green Sulphur Springs.  I am told the road is very rough, between here and there, but perhaps you didn’t notice it, having come over on horseback.”

“Yes, I did notice it, and I could not stand that drive.  And, even if I could be got to the train, to go North, I should have to walk a good deal at the stations.”

“You simply must not think of it,” said Miss Annie.  “And now let me give you a piece of advice.  I am a practical person, as you may know, and I like to do things in a practical way.  The very best thing that you can do, is to arrange with Aunt Keswick to stay here as a boarder, until your ankle is well.  She has taken boarders, and in this case I don’t think she would refuse.  As I told you before, you must not expect her to take the same interest in you, that she did when you first came, but she is really a kind woman, though she has such dreadfully funny ways, and she wouldn’t have neglected you to-day, if it hadn’t been that her mind is entirely wrapped up in other things.  If you like, I’ll propose such an arrangement to her, this afternoon.”

“You are very kind, indeed,” said Lawrence, “but is there not danger of offending her by such a proposition?”

“Yes, I think there is,” answered Miss Annie, “and I have no doubt she will fly out into a passion when she hears that the gentleman, whom she invited here as a guest, proposes to stay as a boarder, but I think I can pacify her, and make her look at the matter in the proper way.”  “But why mention it at all, and put yourself to all that trouble about it?” said Lawrence.

“Why, of course, because I think you will be so much better satisfied, and content to keep quiet and get well, if you feel that you have a right to stay here.  If Aunt Keswick wasn’t so very different from other people, I wouldn’t have mentioned this matter for, really, there is no necessity for it; but I know very well that if you were to drop out of her mind for two or three days, and shouldn’t see anything of her, that you would become dreadfully nervous about staying here.”