Her uncertain fingers fumbled the first match, till it dropped to the floor. The second went out, before she could guide it to the wick. Only at the third attempt was she successful—and she knew her grandmother despised clumsy inefficiency.
"Where have you been?"
"To the Ronalds. We're getting up a course of lectures, don't you remember, for the natives—to run through the winter."
"The natives to run through the winter?"
Katherine shrank back hypersensitively from the foolish banter.
"I am doing the work. Mr. Ronald is giving the money."
"A very proper arrangement."
"It has kept me busy. I hope you haven't felt neglected."
"Not in the least. As usual, everything has been done for me that had to be done."
The little old woman was trying her best to act on Martha's advice, but her tongue, sharpened by years of skilful practice, could not sheathe its keen edge all at once. When next she spoke, it was with so studied a mildness that Katherine stared at her, wondering.