All troubles and disappointments had faded from the young girl’s mind, as she gazed round exulting on the sacred prints on the walls, the delicate statuettes, and well-filled spill-holder and match-box on the mantelshelf, the solid inkstand and appurtenances upon the handsome table-cover, the comfortable easy-chair, and the book-cases, whose contents had been reduced to order due, and knew that the bedroom bore equal testimony to her skill; while the good landlady gazed in admiration, acknowledging that she hardly knew her own rooms, and promising with all her heart to take care of her lodger.
Alas! when, on the way to the station, Honor and Phœbe made an unexpected raid to bring some last improvements, Robert was detected in the act of undoing their work, and denuding his room of even its original luxuries. Phœbe spoke not, but her face showed her discomfiture, and Honora attacked him openly.
‘I never meant you to know it,’ he said, looking rather foolish.
‘Then to ingratitude you added treachery.’
‘It is not that I do not feel your kindness—’
‘But you are determined not to feel it!’
‘No, no! only, this is no position for mere luxuries. My fellow-curates—’
‘Will use such conveniences of life as come to them naturally,’ said Honor, who had lived long enough to be afraid of the freaks of asceticism. ‘Hear me, Robert. You are not wise in thrusting aside all that brings home to you your little sister’s love. You think it cannot be forgotten, but it is not well to cast away
these daily memorials. I know you have much to make you severe—nay, morose—but if you become so, you will never do your work efficiently. You may repel, but never invite; frighten, but not soothe.’
‘You want me to think my efficiency dependent on arm-chairs and table-covers.’