From the long conservatory, a door led into a fernery, where green things clustered in a bower, with ceaseless trickle of water. Jean was charmed. She sat down on a jutting corner of rock-work, opposite a great mass of large-leaved Maidenhair, the delicate new fronds of which were salmon-tinted, shading into green; and there she gave herself up to enjoyment.
Somebody coming in did not at once arouse her. Not till a shadow fell across the salmon gleam of the Maidenhair, did she look up.
"Jem!"
"I managed to get off pretty early. How do you do, Jean? Giles sent me after you both."
"Cousin Chrissie is in the drawing-room."
"I have seen her, and paid my respects to Mrs. Wiggins."
"Was I wrong to come out? I did get so tired of doing nothing; and nobody spoke to me."
"Why?"
"I don't know. Because I am a stranger, I suppose. But should you not have thought that a reason the other way? People ought to be kind. And I am only a girl, so it was hardly my place to begin upon them. I don't mind now. It is delicious among the ferns. Did cousin Chrissie send you to me?"
"She said I might find you here. Shall we go into the garden?"