"Can't think what on earth they would have done, if they hadn't come across Miss Valentine."
"If not in that way, they would have been cared for in some other way."
"But I say!" broke out Felix. "We've no right! I hate to be indebted to strangers."
"We are all children of one Father; bound by close family ties. Is it so hard, viewed in that light?"
"Cecilia would never submit, if she could help it."
"But if she cannot? Perhaps she has that lesson to learn. Some day it may be in your power to repay the kindness. At present you can only accept it, and be grateful."
Felix had to accept it; but he was far from feeling grateful.
"Is Lettice never to come to me again?" Cecilia asked querulously of Prudence, at the very hour when Felix sat with Mr. Kelly at the Vicarage breakfast table. "It is so long since I have seen the child! Does she not care? Felix would not treat me so."
"She will come soon. She was better yesterday, but quiet is needed. Poor little Lettice cares far too much. If we allowed it, she would come this moment."
"The days are so long—and I am alone. None of my own people are with me. Only strangers."