"Gone to the cricket field. I have been to see Miss Pring. I thought mother was at home with you, Uncle Jasper?"
"No, she is out, I believe. Mrs. Mallock said she had gone to visit a sick woman living in one of my cottages," Sir Jasper rejoined, indifferently.
"Oh, yes," Joy cried. "No doubt she has gone to see poor Mrs. Long."
"My gamekeeper's wife?"
"Yes, I have been to see her several times myself."
"You!" he exclaimed, in considerable astonishment.
"Yes," Joy nodded. "It happened like this. I was passing the cottage one day when I heard someone crying, and—I suppose it was an odd thing to do—I went up and knocked at the door. No one came, so I called out to know if anything was amiss, and then a voice told me to open the door and come in. So I did go in, Uncle Jasper and there, lying on a sofa in the kitchen, was poor Mrs. Long. She was so lonely, and unhappy, and quite unable to stir. It was she I had heard crying—not because there was anything wrong, only because it had come over her what a useless, poor thing she was. She told me her husband was very good to her, and waited on her hand and foot, but when he was away she couldn't help being miserable sometimes. Poor soul! I sat down and talked to her, and she was so glad of my company, and said—and said—"
"Yes? What did she say?" Sir Jasper inquired, really interested now.
"That I was like a ray of sunshine on a winter's day; and then she asked me my name, and I told her—Joy—and she said she had never heard of anyone called that before, but she thought the name suited me, for I looked so happy. I've been to see her several times since, and mother goes very often. Poor Mrs. Long! It must be dreadful to be paralyzed."
"Since when have you known the woman?" he questioned, curiously.