“Well, my advice is this—even if it causes your poor old nurse great anxiety. She will be content later on, when she learns that it was for your benefit. My advice is for you to try and settle down here for a while, so as to see how matters shape themselves, or till you have decided where it would be better for you to go.”
She looked at him wistfully.
“Could I not take apartments somewhere, and have Eliza up to keep house for me?”
“Well—yes,” he said, thoughtfully. “It would be risky, for every movement of your old servant will be jealously watched just now. It would be better later on. What do you think?”
“That I do not wish to seem ungrateful for your kindness, neither do I feel justified in putting you to great trouble and expense.”
“Pooh, pooh,” he said, merrily, “I am not so poor that I can not afford myself a few pleasures. But proper pride is a fine thing. There, you shall be independent, and pay me back everything when you come of age.”
He glanced at his watch, for breakfast had been over some time, and they had sat talking.
“I am keeping you, Mr Garstang,” she said.
“Well, I like to be kept, but I have several appointments to-day. Have a good quiet think while I am gone, and we will talk it over again to-night.”
“No,” said Kate, quietly, “you will be tired then. I will take your advice, Mr Garstang.”