"God forgive me," she murmured to herself; "I might perhaps have made life happier for her if I'd tried."
[CHAPTER X]
AN EVENTFUL DAY
SEVEN o'clock in the morning on Easter Monday found Melina breakfasting with her neighbours. The breakfast of fried bacon and delicious coffee seemed quite a luxurious meal to her, accustomed as she was to commence the day fortified only with a cup of weak tea and a slice of bread spread with margarine or dripping, and, encouraged by a remark from Mr. Jones to the effect that the more she ate the better she would please him, she thoroughly enjoyed it.
"How are you getting on, my dear?" Mr. Jones asked every now and again, as the meal progressed.
And Melina answered each time: "Very well, thank you, Mr. Jones," and gave him a shy pleased smile, with a very grateful feeling in her heart.
Immediately breakfast was over a start was made for the station, Mrs. Jones and Melina walking ahead, while Mr. Jones followed with William, the two latter taking turns in carrying a large covered basket which was full of provisions. They arrived at the station in good time for the excursion train by which they were to make the short journey to Hawmouth.
"I say, Melina, who'd have thought that you'd be going with us?" remarked William, as, with Melina and his mother, he waited on the platform whilst his father procured their tickets.
"Yes, who'd have thought it!" Melina returned gaily; "I can scarcely believe it—really! It's like a dream—a beautiful dream! Oh, how glad I am it's such a fine day!"
"It's warm, too, for April," said Mrs. Jones,—"more like summer, I call it."