Kate promptly took her advice, with the results that have been seen; and her respect for the acumen of her elder child became somewhat akin to awe.
Nor was Jemima at the end of her surprises for her mother.
One morning she followed Kate rather aimlessly into her office; a thing almost unprecedented, for Mrs. Kildare was rarely disturbed in her sanctum except upon matters of business.
"You wish to see me about something, daughter?"
"Oh, no, I just wanted to talk."
Kate's heart thumped suddenly. It was a long time since the girl had sought her out for one of their old confidential chats about nothing in particular. She had been almost glad of the trouble about Jacqueline because for the moment it had brought her close again to her other child. The newly formed alliance was evidently to continue.
She said lightly, "Talk away, then!"
Jemima wandered about the room, examining this thing and that, without attention. "You've never asked me a question about the visit to Mrs. Lawton, nor why I came home sooner than I had expected to."
"I did not dare," admitted Kate, smiling a little. "I was afraid the great experiment had not proved a success."
"Oh, but it was. A great success!—That is not why I came home so soon."