‘You were smiling when I first caught sight of you,’ Letty said, after reflecting for a moment. ‘Was it something in the book?’
Adela again smiled.
‘No, something in myself,’ she replied with an air of confidence.
‘Because you are happy, Adela?’
‘Yes, because I am happy.’
‘How glad I am to hear that, dear!’ Letty exclaimed, for the first time allowing herself to use the affectionate word. ‘You will let me be glad with you?’
Her hands stole a little forward, but Adela did not notice it; for she was gazing straight before her, with an agitated look.
‘Yes, I am very happy, I have found something to do in life. I was afraid at first that I shouldn’t be able to give my husband any help in his work; I seemed useless. But I am learning, and I hope soon to be of real use, if only in little things. You know that I have begun to give a tea to the children every Wednesday? They’re not in need of food and comforts, I’m glad to say; nobody wants in New Wanley; but it’s nice to bring them together at the Manor, and teach them to behave gently to each other, and to sit properly at table, and things like that. Will you come and see them to-day?’
‘I shall be very pleased.’
‘To-day I’m going to begin something new. After tea we shall have a reading. Mr. Wyvern sent me a book this morning—“Andersen’s Fairy Tales.”’