"Don't you miss the country sometimes in Shoreditch?" he asked.
She shook her head and looked at him with puzzled eyes.
"Why should I miss anything in Shoreditch?"
Mark was abashed and silent for the rest of the drive, because he fancied that Esther might have supposed that he was referring to the past, rather than give which impression he would have cut out his tongue. When they reached the Rectory, Mark was moved almost to tears by the greetings.
"Dear little sister," Miriam murmured. "How happy we are to have you with us again."
"Dear child," said Mrs. Ogilvie. "And really she does look like a nun."
"My dearest girl, we have missed you every moment of these four years," said the Rector, bending to kiss her. "How cold your cheek is."
"It was quite chilly driving," said Mark quickly, for there had come upon him a sudden dismay lest they should think she was a ghost. He was relieved when Miriam announced tea half an hour earlier than usual in honour of Esther's arrival; it seemed to prove that to her family she was still alive.
"After tea I'm going to Wych Maries to pick St. John's wort for the church. Would you like to walk as far?" Mark suggested, and then stood speechless, horrified at his want of tact. He had the presence of mind not to excuse himself, and he was grateful to Esther when she replied in a calm voice that she should like a walk after tea.
When the opportunity presented itself, Mark apologized for his suggestion.