"It is a sad good-bye," said Nellie, trying to speak calmly, as she met Mrs. Elliot, "and you must forgive me for not saying all I would wish; but I do thank you all for—for making me so welcome."
Mrs. Elliot assured her it had given them much pleasure to know her; and then Nellie went over to the sofa where Alice lay, looking pale and suffering.
"Is it very bad?" she asked kindly.
"Oh, I feel so wretched, Miss Arundel."
"Poor child, I know you must; but," she whispered, "be patient; it helps us to think that Jesus knows all our sorrows and sufferings, doesn't it?"
"Even my bad foot?" asked Alice, looking up.
"Even that. Don't forget, dear."
Alice nodded, and in another moment the carriage was there, and Nellie was gone.
The three driving together did not say many words. Their thoughts would have been hard to interpret.
When they were walking up and down the station waiting for the train, Wilmot said to Nellie: