"I know, I know!" the young governess interposed hurriedly. "Never mind, dear! Don't make a trouble of that!"
The next afternoon she returned from the Glen with a big parcel in her arms, and an unusually bright expression on her face.
"I've brought home some wool," she said, as her mother looked at her inquiringly, "Miss Basset said I might—she has bought such a lot. I told her you and I would be very glad to have some work to do for the soldiers during the winter evenings, and she said she would gladly supply the wool for us to use. See, here's some for making scarves! Isn't it beautifully soft and warm? Now, are you pleased I have brought it or not?"
"Pleased, of course!" Mrs. Cummings answered promptly. She felt the wool, and expressed herself satisfied with the quality. "We'll wind it the first thing after tea," she said, "and set to work at once."
This they did whilst they talked of the war and of all those in whom they were interested who were serving their country; and Mrs. Cummings forgot her own grievances and plied her knitting needles faster and faster as she discussed the gravity of the situation in France and Flanders.
Meanwhile, at the Glen, Donald, in his favourite chair by the schoolroom fire, was discontentedly watching his sister and Josephine, who, having finished their lessons for the morrow, had taken up their knitting.
"I wonder how long it will be before you two will tire of being so industrious," he remarked disagreeably by and by; then, receiving no answer, he added: "They're knitting in the kitchen, too."
May nodded. "Aunt Ann has told the servants she'll keep them supplied with wool," she said, "they're ever so pleased!"
"I've told father what we're all doing," said Josephine, "I've written him such a long letter in answer to his."
"I suppose you've told him about everything and every one?" Donald suggested.