‘She is naturally a little—a little fluttered,’ she said, speaking of Adela. ‘I hoped you would look in. Try and make her laugh, my dear; that’s all she wants.’
The girl tripped softly upstairs, and softly knocked at Adela’s door. At her ‘May I come in?’ the door was opened. Letty examined her friend with surprise; in Adela’s face there was no indication of trouble, rather the light of some great joy dwelt in her eyes. She embraced Letty tenderly. The two were as nearly as possible of the same age, but Letty had always regarded Adela in the light of an elder sister; that feeling was very strong in her just now, as well as a diffidence greater than she had known before.
‘Are you happy, darling?’ she asked timidly.
‘Yes, dear, I am happy. I believe, I am sure, I have done right. Take your hat off; it’s quite early. I’ve just been reading the collect for to-morrow. It’s one of those I have never quite understood, but I think it’s clear to me now.’
They read over the prayer together, and spoke of it for a few minutes.
‘What have you brought me?’ Adela asked at length, noticing a little parcel in the other’s hand.
‘It’s a book I have been asked to give you. I shall have to explain. Do you remember lending someone your “Christian Year”?’
The smile left Adela’s face, and the muscles of her mouth strung themselves.
‘Yes, I remember,’ she replied coldly.
‘As I was walking back from Agworth this afternoon, he overtook me on the road and asked me to return it to you.’