"Yes, ma'am," replied Barnes, in her usual quiet tone.
"It is my intention to return to town, but I think I shall break our journey at Plymouth," Miss Leighton announced. "I may probably stay there for a day or so."
"Yes, ma'am," Barnes replied again. Not a muscle of her face moved, nor was there any sign to show the delight she experienced as her mistress made known her plans, though her heart was palpitating with joy at the thought that she might soon have an opportunity of seeing her mother and brother.
Miss Leighton was disappointed. She had planned to stop at Plymouth solely on her maid's account; but of course, she reflected, Barnes could not know that.
"By the way, you have relatives living near Plymouth, have you not?" she asked, after a brief hesitation.
"Yes, ma'am—my mother and my brother." Barnes regarded her mistress dubiously, then added: "I shall be glad to see them, if you will allow me a day to myself, for my mother is very old, and my brother is sorely afflicted—he has no mind, or none to speak of. It will be a great pleasure to me to go and see them."
"How is it you never mentioned them to me before?" Miss Leighton demanded sharply. "You are deeply attached to them, are you not?"
"Yes," Barnes admitted, "I am." But she did not explain why their names had never passed her lips, and her mistress did not ask her again.
[CHAPTER X]
GOOD-BYES