“Hah!” he said, with a sigh of relief, “thank you, my child. I was afraid that you would be ready to return to him.”
“Mr Garstang!” she cried.
“Guardian.”
“Then, guardian, how could you think it? If I have seemed dull and unhappy, surely it was not strange, considering my position.”
“Of course not; but I was flattering myself with the belief that you were really getting reconciled to your fate.”
“I am reconciled,” said Kate, warmly; “but I can not help longing to take my old nurse by the hand again, and to see my friends.”
“Friends?” he said, looking at her curiously.
“Yes; I made two friends down there whose society was pleasant to me, and whom I have missed.”
“Indeed! I did not know.”
“But tell me, is uncle coming? Does he know I am here?” cried Kate, excitedly.