Monica's face grew grave as she listened.
"I don't quite share your fears. I think Mrs. Norman is one of those women who must be friendly with all men. Look at young Austin de Cressiers! They rode up to me yesterday; he had mounted her! She strikes me as being interested in everybody and everything. She talks most sensibly about poultry and farming, and really enjoys the subject. I heard them talking a good deal of the hunting field. She is a first-rate horsewoman, and if that engrosses her, your uncle won't see much of her, poor man!"
"No," said Sidney reflectively, "I suppose not; and if she wants another husband, there are plenty of men about who would suit her better than Uncle Ted. She will meet them if she hunts. But I am sorry for Mrs. de Cressiers. She won't see much of Austin now; she told me she hoped he would not hunt so much this winter as he did last, for the estate business wanted his attention. Of course, I think this weather and father's little chill has made both him and Uncle Ted a little teasy. I am sure Mrs. Norman will not be mistress of our home at present! It's quite ridiculous to imagine it. Oh, how good the wind and wet air is! I feel a different creature, don't you?"
"Yes," assented Monica. "We get apt to exaggerate trifles when we shut ourselves up within four walls. I'm going back to my imp now, and I don't feel that his fit of temper is likely to bring dire consequences upon us. Now we part ways. My advice is to you, treat your uncle's infatuation lightly, and be just and generous to Mrs. Norman. You are such a sympathetic little soul that you ought to see her side and make allowances for her accordingly. I'm not one to take to strangers, but I must say I like what I have seen of her."
Sidney walked back feeling that there must be something very wrong with her not to have the same regard for the young widow as had everyone else. "Even Mrs. de Cressiers is beginning to sing her praises, only I doubt if she will like Austin providing her with a hunter."
When she reached home she went straight to her uncle's workshop, and this time she was successful in gaining admission. He was not working, but sitting over his fire smoking his pipe. Sidney came in like a fresh genial breeze.
"Well, Uncle Ted, have you been in all this afternoon? It's really delicious out, if you don't mind a wind. I wish you'd been with me to enjoy it."
"I've been busy," her uncle said curtly. "Only just finished my job. How do you like it?"
He pointed to a wooden bench daintily turned and panelled.
"I think it's charming," said Sidney, stooping down to examine it. "It's for Mrs. Norman, I suppose?"