"My father is dead too," said little Coral, making the statement in the simple, matter-of-fact tone of childhood, "and mamma as well."
"Are they, dear?" said Miss Burton, instinctively drawing the child closer to her. "You must tell me about them some day."
But Coral felt no need of further knowledge of her new friend before giving her entire confidence, nor did Beryl. With eager utterance they began to tell Miss Burton the history of the shipwreck and all that dated from it. What one did not think of the other supplied, and their tongues went so fast that Miss Hollys had several times to reprove them for making too much noise. But Miss Burton listened with interest, and felt almost as sorry as the children when Miss Hollys decided that it was time for them to go upstairs.
"How nice she is!" said Beryl to Coral, as they went away. "I had no idea a governess could be so pleasant."
"No, she really does not look at all cross, does she?" said Coral.
"No, indeed," said Beryl heartily.
"I think it will be quite nice to do lessons with her. I shan't mind it a bit."
"What do you think of Miss Burton, Lucy?" said Beryl later on, when the nurse had for some time been listening with quiet amusement to the children's comments on their governess, and contrasting them with the remarks she haft heard earlier in the day.
"Oh, I think she is as nice-looking a young lady as ever I saw, and very pleasant-spoken too," said Lucy.
"Oh, I like her so much," said Beryl again; "I am quite glad that papa thought of getting me a governess. I like Miss Burton a great deal better than Aunt Cecilia; don't you, Coral? I am sure it will be delightful to learn of her."