The next moment they were exchanging greetings like two gay school-girls, for they were both warm-hearted, impetuous women, and apt to be rather regardless of bystanders and appearances.
“Dear girl, you look so well,” said her friend, holding her off a minute to look at her. “I see Harry is not killing you with kindness, as I used to predict he would.”
“And you, too, look well, notwithstanding the hotel life you abhor so. Where is your trunk?”
“I had it expressed to your house from the hotel. It saves all bother, and I knew you and I would enjoy the walk home together, as you are so near the station.”
And enjoy it they did, as only women who have known each other in girlhood and made plans and dreamed dreams together can. The village street was as prosy as any other Jersey village; but to these two, who recalled London days, as they went through it, it was poetical enough; and as they left the little stores and faced the country in all its autumn glory of color, and the sweet fall odors of ripening fruit met them, Mrs. Welles drew a deep breath.
“How lovely this is! No wonder you look well. What a waste it is, after all, to live in the city!”
“There is something to say on both sides, Harry thinks. We gain all that nature gives in the country, but we lose art and many things that brighten one’s wits. But people who have a very narrow income can enjoy very few of the advantages of city life, even if they live in it; so, for them, the country is undoubted gain.”
When they reached the house, Mrs. Welles was delighted with it and everything about it, and made Molly tell her all about her housekeeping and how she managed. When she had given her a sketch of her daily life, Mrs. Welles said, thoughtfully:
“That is all very nice, Molly; but it seems to me you must have a good deal to do, or else your Marta is a treasure.”
“Well, I have a good deal to do, and Marta is in one sense a treasure, though, at the same time, I can see that many people would not get along with her. Her good qualities seem to be cleanliness (although she is not tidy), and an ambition to be a good cook; but for general work she needs constant watching and telling. Still, annoying as that is, I do not know that one can expect more in a girl like her than willingness to do the work laid out for her. If I were paying for trained service, I should be dissatisfied; but there are few trained girls who will undertake general work.”