VII
THE TRESPASSER
A few days afterwards Miss Falkner took Jack and Jill out for a drive in a low pony-chaise that was their special property.
Mona came out on the doorstep to see them start.
"I'm so glad you can drive, Miss Falkner," she said, "for I shall have no fears about the children with you as driver. The grooms can't be trusted. They give the reins to them, and Jack upset the whole concern just before you came."
"I used to drive as a tiny child," said Miss Falkner with heightened colour. "I have not done so lately, but one never loses the art."
Mona looked at her curiously. She began to feel a great interest in this young girl, who had so quietly taken the reins in the school-room and was slowly but surely influencing the young turbulent spirits in it.
The children were giving their pony sugar. Mona looked at them, then she laid her hand gently on Miss Falkner's arm.
"Some day you will tell me about yourself and your home," she said.
The quick tears sprang to the young governess's eyes. She felt as she stood there that the girl who spoke to her had all that the world could give her. She had as yet been untouched by the storms of life, and on her proud young face there were lines of discontent and restlessness that would never be effaced till she had learnt some of life's lessons, and perhaps been through the school of suffering.