'It is of no importance,' came the strong, clanging voice of Gudrun.
She seemed to touch him. But he reached further, the boat swayed
violently. Hermione, however, remained unperturbed. He grasped the
book, under the water, and brought it up, dripping.
'I'm so dreadfully sorry--dreadfully sorry,' repeated Hermione. 'I'm
afraid it was all my fault.'
'It's of no importance--really, I assure you--it doesn't matter in the
least,' said Gudrun loudly, with emphasis, her face flushed scarlet.
And she held out her hand impatiently for the wet book, to have done
with the scene. Gerald gave it to her. He was not quite himself.
'I'm so dreadfully sorry,' repeated Hermione, till both Gerald and
Gudrun were exasperated. 'Is there nothing that can be done?'
'In what way?' asked Gudrun, with cool irony.
'Can't we save the drawings?'
There was a moment's pause, wherein Gudrun made evident all her
refutation of Hermione's persistence.
'I assure you,' said Gudrun, with cutting distinctness, 'the drawings
are quite as good as ever they were, for my purpose.
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