"You may come, dear, if your father will let you," said Mrs. Brand, with rather a troubled look. "It would be a blessing—a charity—to me: but I don't know whether it would be right to let you—your father must decide."
And then Janetta took her leave.
She was surprised to find that Mr. Brand was lounging about the hall as she came out, and that he not only opened the door for her but accompanied her to the garden gate. He did not speak for a minute or two, and Janetta, not seeing her way clear to any remarks of her own, wondered whether they were to walk side by side to the gate in utter silence. Presently, however, he said, abruptly.
"I have not yet heard to whom I am indebted for the appearance of that little boy in my house."
"I am not exactly responsible," said Janetta, "I only found him outside and brought him in to make inquiries. My name is Janetta Colwyn."
"Colwyn? What? the doctor's daughter?"
"Yes, the doctor's daughter," said Janetta, smiling frankly at him, "and your second cousin."
Wyvis Brand's hand went up to his hat, which he lifted ceremoniously.
"I wish I had had the introduction earlier," he said, in a much pleasanter tone.
Janetta could not exactly echo the sentiment, and therefore maintained a discreet silence.