An almost intolerable sensation of desertion swept over her. She felt
as if every one hated her.
"Would you mind shutting that door?" she said to Maddalena, pointing
towards the kitchen.
The sound of whispers ceased. The women within were listening.
"Signora, we always keep it open."
"But I have something to say to you that I wish to say in private."
"Si!"
The exclamation was suspicious. The voice sounded harsher than before.
In the kitchen the silence seemed to increase, to thrill with anxious
curiosity.
"Please shut that door."
It was like an order. Maddalena obeyed it, despite a cataract of words
from the old woman that voiced indignant protest.
"And do sit down, won't you? I don't like to sit while you are
standing."
"Signora, I--"
"Please do sit down."
Hermione's voice began to show her acute nervous agitation. Maddalena
stared, then took another chair from its place against the wall, and
sat down at some distance from Hermione. She folded her plump hands in
her lap.
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