"Oh, very well, thank you. He is going abroad in a few days, and may not be home again till Christmas."
"My dear child!" sympathetically. "Then you will have no one but servants to look after you during his absence! You must come and see us as often as you can next term."
"Thank you, Miss Holcroft," Muriel said gratefully; adding in a lower tone, "I've been ever so much happier since Marigold and I have been friends."
"I am pleased to hear it," Miss Holcroft answered, smiling.
"Marigold's so good-natured," the child continued. "Perhaps you don't know it, but I served her very unkindly once, and afterwards she forgave me and did me a good turn. I couldn't have done it myself."
"Oh, but it is right to return good for evil. It is a Christian's duty to forgive an injury."
"But, you see, I am not a Christian!"
"Perhaps you are trying to be one?"
"No. I'm thinking about it, though!"
At this point Miss Pamela, who had been listening to the conversation in silence, asked what had become of Mrs. Jones.