"Never mind, dear," answered Una. "I'm sure your mother is much happier now."
"As a Sister of Mercy," said Reginald, in a musing tone, "poking about among the slums of London. It's a curious life for her to take up."
"I think she always had a leaning that way," replied Una, with a sigh; "and it will make her forget the past."
"I wish she would accept some money, to make her comfortable."
"I don't think she will," said Mrs. Garsworth, folding up the letter; "but when we go back again, perhaps she'll give up London, and come back to Garsworth."
"I'm afraid not," replied Reginald, gravely. "My mother is a woman of strong will, and she thinks she has a sin to expiate, so she'll stay and labour there till she dies. Well, what else does Miss Cassy say?"
"Nothing particular," answered Una, putting the letter in her pocket. "Mrs. Larcher still labours under 'The Affliction.' Dr. Larcher has been to London, to attend some archæological meeting. Dick Pemberton has come in for his money and, Aunty thinks, has some idea of asking Pumpkin to be his wife."
"Pumpkin?" echoed Reginald, in a shocked tone. "No, Una, you forget--Eleanora Gwendoline."
They both laughed, and Una went on giving the news.
"Jellicks and Munks are both well, and Ferdinand Priggs is going to bring out a new volume of poems."