"This is good news, Mamma." For although to him, the walk from the cottage to the town did not occupy ten minutes, it was undoubtedly a long walk for Mrs. Murray.
The carriage drew up at the garden gate, and Arthur jumped out. But before he could lift his mother to the ground, Molly had opened the street door and was running down to meet them.
"Oh, Mamma! Where have you been?" she exclaimed.
"I can manage, dear, with Arthur's help," said Mrs. Murray, as Molly put her arm round her mother's waist to help her along.
Arthur was proud to feel his mother leaning upon him.
"Oh, Mamma, dear, mind you don't fall," said Annie, who also joined them before they came to the street door.
Mrs. Murray was very tired, and when the dining-room was reached, she said she would stay there for the rest of the day.
"I mean to turn over a new leaf, if I can, and take my part in the everyday life. I never thought I could do it, and so I never tried, but Lady Mary has taught me that I can help myself, and I am not likely to forget the lesson."
The sisters looked at each other and then at Arthur.
But after resting for a little while, Mrs. Murray ate a fairly-good dinner, and her cats were induced to come to the dining-room for the afternoon.