[CHAPTER XII]
AN UNWELCOME VISIT
"AH mother, is it you?" The exclamation came from Fanny Brown, who had been sent to post a letter, and saw her mother close by as she turned away from the letter-box.
For answer, her mother kissed her and said, "You do look well, Fanny. You have got a colour like a rose. I am glad you have got such a nice comfortable place."
"I don't see how you can tell what sort of place I have got," said Fanny, a peevish look coming into her face as she spoke.
"Oh, you may trust a mother's eyes for seeing proof of that," said Mrs. Brown. And then she added quickly, "How was it you did not come home to tea yesterday, as your mistress gave you leave to come?"
"Oh, Jack has been telling tales again, has he? What business has he to come spying upon me as he did?"
Her mother looked at her in surprise. "Spying upon you!" she repeated. "He came because father sent him to tell you all the news of what has happened the last week. Who told you that your father was ill on Saturday morning?"
Fanny tried to laugh. "Oh, it was just a guess of mine," said Fanny, lightly. "I wanted to go out with a friend, and I knew I could get out that way. Now, don't scold, mother. Things have altered since you were at service, years ago."
"They have indeed," answered Mrs. Brown, in a grave tone; but she would not say any more just then, for she wanted to gain her daughter's confidence, and this was a bad beginning.