Molly looks a little abashed.
"But you will have leave," she says.
"O yes, of course I shall have leave; but not very often, I suppose."
"You must write to us as often as you can," says Mrs. Merivale kindly. "You know I take just as much interest in all you boys as if you were my own."
Molly strolls down to the gate with Hugh when he has taken leave of all the others; but he is very silent, and she, thinking that perhaps she has hurt his sensitive feelings with some of her random talk, is silent also.
In a minute or two Hugh rouses himself, however, and says:
"Molly, I have never told you how awfully glad I am that you are all getting on so much better now, as to funds and all that sort of thing, you know. I do think you have all shown yourselves such good girls in having met your misfortunes so bravely; and I cannot tell you how glad I feel that you have all had your reward, and have a little more peace and comfort now than you had. Mother is always talking about you all, and saying how much she admires the spirit and unselfishness with which you turned to and made the best of everything."
"I'm not unselfish!" cries Molly, looking surprised. "Why, I'd take a footstool or an easy-chair from anybody! It's no use saying I don't care about being comfortable, because I do!"
Hugh takes no notice of this interruption, but goes on as if nothing had been said.
"Yes, we were talking about you last night, mother and I, and what do you think she said about you, Molly, particularly?"