"What's all this about?" said another voice; and Hetty saw her master in the doorway.
"Hetty is very sorry, John; and what do you think?"
"Well, I was very angry last night, but thinking it over, it seems to me that we might give her another chance. She did it to make the child happy, and I don't think she will forget again."
"Sir, I don't think I could, not about leaving Miss Flo; but as to the pudding, I really couldn't say, because I am so dreadful heedless."
"We'll say nothing about the pudding this time," said he, laughing. "But don't be content to be heedless—no one need do that. I am going out for a turn, Celia; but I shall be in good time for breakfast, never fear."
"Well, Hetty, that is settled, and I am glad to keep you. For you are so kind to my poor little Flo that I should be very sorry to send you home; but indeed you must try to be steadier, or one could never feel any real trust in you."
"Indeed, it's a great misfortune," Hetty said dismally; "and it's very good of you and master to try me again."
"Don't call it a misfortune, Hetty—it is more than that. If you loved your Master and Saviour as you love Miss Flo—for indeed I know you do love her—you would be as anxious to please Him as you are to please my poor little girl. And then we should have no more forgetting or carelessness, because such things are wrong, and grieve Him."
Mrs. Eyre went upstairs then, hoping that Hetty looked a little thoughtful, and would ponder over what she had said. But Hetty could do nothing but rejoice over her escape. So happy did she feel, that she unconsciously began to sing.
Mr. Eyre, Lina, and Edgar went to morning service, and Hetty was to go also; then she was to go home, and to return in time for her mistress to go to evening service, Mr. Eyre remaining at home with the children. He would be very glad to have Hetty's help, for generally the baby refused to go to sleep on these occasions, and his crying made poor Flo cross.