Lettice tried to smile, but not successfully. The stranger came over to the seat by her side.
"Now tell me: I want to know what is wrong. Something must have distressed you just before I came in. You had not been crying long. What was it, I wonder? . . . Is that your mother or—your sister?—" in surprise. "I should not have guessed it. She has been ill, I see. Isn't this rather bad weather for her to travel?"
"She wouldn't put it off. Felix said she ought."
"Who is Felix?"
"My brother—in Brighton. Sissie can't teach any more, and so we can't stay in Brighton," explained Lettice, with childish frankness. "We are going to live near Bristol, with an uncle that I have never seen. And—Felix—"
Lettice stopped short, setting her teeth rigidly.
"And you have had to leave Felix behind? Is that the trouble?"
Lettice nodded, and said "Part," with difficulty.
"But not all. Perhaps your sister's health—"
That line of questioning had to be abandoned. She saw it at once, and stopped.