He studied my face intently for a moment, from my round chin up to my hair. I remembered, in great confusion, that red-haired people were suspected of being quick-tempered.
“I am sorry. They will be an annoyance. I ought to have thought—”
“You misunderstood me, Mr. Duncan,” I began, with a tremble in my voice. “I should not have objected to their coming, even if I considered that I had a right. It will ease papa’s burdens in another way, and I am quite ready to do my part.”
“Little girl, there are a good many things that money cannot buy,” he said gravely.
I had surely done it now! How mercenary he would think us! I could have cried with vexation.
There was a silence of some minutes. I had an inward consciousness that we were not foreordained to get on nicely together.
“It is of some of these things that I would like to speak,” he began, slowly. “The boys have been to a good school, to be sure; but they never have had a home, or home training. And on some of the higher points of morals, a woman’s influence does more by its silent grace than hundreds of lectures. Will you be a little patient with their rough ways and want of consideration? I am offering you a part of my burden, to be sure; but then, with your father’s permission, I am to share part of yours. I am to stand with you to-morrow at your little sister’s christening. Believe me, that I am very glad to be here.”
Papa had intended to ask Mr. Searle, his senior warden. I was surprised at the change.
“Do you not like that, either?” and there was a tinge of disappointment in his tone.
“Excuse me. It was only the suddenness.”