They were very nearly the same age, were two blocks of stone, ordained for a building above; yet though one was cut and chiselled already, the other bore no impress of the Master's hand.
But the sympathetic touch and words struck a chord in Miss Falkner's heart. She forgot from that time that Mona Baron was her employer, she thought of her only as a girl who might need help.
"Now where shall we go, children?" she asked, as they drove down the sweet-smelling lime avenue into the high road.
"Oh, do drive up to Chilton Common," cried Jack; "there are such a lot of rabbits there, and we can see the sea from it."
So to Chilton Common they went. It was about four miles off, and at first sight looked a dreary expanse of wild moorland. As they crossed it, they caught the salt scent of the sea, and soon came to a cluster of poor-looking cottages, but beyond them in the distance was the unmistakable blue line of the ocean, and the children seemed delighted.
"I wish we lived by the sea," said Jill. "I like to be on the very outside edge of the earth."
"Why?" inquired Jack.
Jill seldom gave reasons for her likes and dislikes.
"Because I do," she returned sharply.