This had happened some days before the talk. And now, after a moment or two of silence, Helen said to Miss Craven, "There is a verse in Proverbs, I think I heard it read in church one Sunday, 'He that would have friends must show himself friendly.'"
"I don't want any friend but you."
There was a great tremble in Miss Craven's voice and she began to cry.
"And you will not let me advise you about the little things that make so much difference with girls."
How did she know? Helen flushed at her own assumption, and yet she did understand. She pitied Juliet Craven profoundly, too.
"Oh, don't cry. Can't I comfort you with some word? See here, I really love you. You are so brave, so persevering, you have had such a hard, lonely life, and I would like to make it brighter."
"Oh, Helen! Oh, Miss Grant."
"No; keep to the Helen," the younger girl interrupted.
"To have you love me! But I might have known so much care and kindness could only spring from love. Oh, I think I shall not mind the other girls now. I've been longing so for real love. Are you quite sure? It seems too good when I have been making myself content with a simple liking."
She pressed Helen's hands to her hot cheeks, wet with tears. Helen kissed her on the forehead, but the elder drew her face down and returned the kiss many times.