They walked slowly along the hedge of sweet-peas together, picking them as they went.
“What a beautiful garden yours is, Aunt Sarah,” cried Anna.
Mrs Forrest looked pleased.
“There are many larger ones about here,” she said, “but I certainly think my flowers do me credit. I attend to them a great deal myself, but, of course, I cannot give them as much time as I should like. Now you are come, we shall be busier than ever, because we must give some time every day to your studies.”
“Miss Milverton said she would write to you about the lessons I have been doing, aunt,” said Anna.
“I have arranged,” continued Aunt Sarah, “to read with you for an hour every morning; it is difficult to squeeze it in, but I have managed it. And then I am hoping that you will join in some lessons with the Palmers—girls of your own age, who live near. If their governess will allow you to learn French and German with them, it would be a good plan, and would give you companions besides.—By the way, Anna, Miss Milverton says in her letter that you don’t make any progress in your music. How is that?”
“I don’t care very much for music,” said Anna. “I would much rather not go on with it, unless you want me to.”
She thought that her aunt looked rather relieved, as she remarked that it was useless for people who were not musical to waste their time in learning to play, and that she should not make a point of music-lessons at present.
“Now I must cut some roses,” added Mrs Forrest, as she put the glowing bunches of sweet-peas into her basket. “Come this way.”
Anna followed to a little nursery of standard rose-trees near the foot-bridge.