The door opened and Aunt Elizabeth came in, very gently as though she were going to steal something.She was, Maggie saw now, so little as to be almost deformed, with a soft pale face, lined and wrinkled, and blue watery eyes.She wore a black silk wrapper over her shoulders, and soft black slippers.Alice in Wonderland was one of the few books that Maggie had read in her childhood; Aunt Elizabeth reminded her strongly of the White Queen in the second part of that masterpiece.
"Oh, you're not asleep, dear," said Aunt Elizabeth.
"No, I'm not," said Maggie."I'm perfectly all right.I can't think what made me behave like that.I've never done such a thing before.
I'm ashamed!"
"It was very natural," said Aunt Elizabeth."You should have had some tea at once.It was my fault.It's late now.Nine o'clock.My sister suggests bed.Supper in bed.Very nice, I always think, after a long journey.It will be fine to-morrow, I expect.We've had beautiful weather until this morning, when it rained for an hour.