“Well, I have to go and do some spinning and Mistress Mowbray will be wondering where I am; but you will give me lessons in Greek, will you not?”
“Certainly, we will start next time you come to see me. See if you can find some Greek books in the library. Good-bye.”
Aline departed and sat at the wheel till supper and then went up with Audry to their room.
What was her surprise as she looked at her bed to see it covered with neatly folded little piles of beautiful linen.
Child as she was she knew at once that both the linen and lace upon it were of exceptional quality.
“O Audry dear! what is all this?” she exclaimed.
“Well, you will never guess, will she, Elspeth?” said Audry, turning to the old nurse who had stolen in to see how the gift would be received.
“Nobody could bear that you should wear dowlas, hinnie,” said the old dame, “and so practically every one in the neighbourhood has had a hand in what you see there. Janet Arnside made this camise, and Martha, the laundry-maid, made that nightrobe. Joseph, the stableman, and Silas bought the bit of lace on this. Edward bought this larger piece of punto in aria here. I made these with the tela tirata work with my own hands and I do hope you will like them.”
“Indeed I do,” said Aline, bewildered as much by the demonstration of widespread affection as by the altogether unexpected acquisition. “Elspeth, you are a dear, and, oh, it is good of them, but what will Mistress Mowbray say?”