Daphne paused, "I beg your pardon?"
"Of course, you don't know anything," Hazelle said, her voice laced with mocking pity, "since you're still here reading old books."
Daphne tucked the book closer to her chest, grateful that she had the foresight to hide the title from view. Thankfully, it seemed that Hazelle wasn't so well-read; she didn't manage to identify the book from the cover alone.
"If you're merely intending on giving me cryptic comments, stop wasting my time and let go of my arm," Daphne said warningly. "I have a book to finish and a husband to love. We promised to go on a walk later. Perhaps you could ask my brother to accompany you if you have so much time to spare?"
She had made no such promise with Atticus, but Hazelle wouldn't know anyway. Instead, Daphne witnessed the sight of Hazelle narrowing her deep green eyes as she tried to restrain herself from slapping Daphne.
