Nuttie had never heard her say anything so fully showing that she realised these difficulties, and, greatly touched, she asked pardon, kissed and caressed her mother. There was a calm over them for the next few days, and Nuttie actually refrained from bitter comments when her mother was not allowed to go to evensong on Sunday, on the plea of her being tired, but, as the girl believed, in order that she might read the newspapers aloud.
She knew that her silence was appreciated by the way her mother kissed her and called her a dear, good, considerate girl.
On Monday Mr. and Mrs. Egremont went away at what was a strangely early hour for the former, Nuttie spending her days at the Rectory.
On the Tuesday Blanche went with her little sister and the governess on a shopping expedition to Redcastle, and in relating her adventures on her return, she said, 'Oh, by the bye, I met Annaple in Park's shop!'
'Full of Micklethwayte news, I suppose,' said May.
'Yes, of course. Did you know, Nuttie, that your aunt was ill?'
'No, indeed, I did not. What was the matter?'
'Bronchitis, I believe—brown titus, as Betty Butter calls it.'
'Bronchitis! Oh dear! oh dear! Are you quite sure, Blanche?'
'Oh yes! I am quite certain Annaple said Mark told her that Miss Headworth was laid up with bronchitis.'