They were both rather shy, and the conversation was not as lively as Nellie wished she could have made it.
"Shall we go into the garden?" asked Hope.
Nellie willingly assented; so they stepped through the glass-door on to the shady lawn.
"Here is our favourite place," said Hope, leading the way to a small sheltered seat under the spreading branches of an elm.
Nellie did not need telling, and they sat down, and under the influence of the peaceful evening began to feel more at home.
"They will miss you very much," said Hope.
"I am afraid they will; but mamma wished me so much to come."
"Yes, it is always right for the busy one to get a change," said Hope.
"I suppose so," answered Nellie doubtfully.
"That was partly why my mamma was so pleased for me to come here," resumed Hope. "I was so busy at home all day long, and my next sister had not much opportunity to do what she would otherwise have been willing to do."