As always, when much moved, she was very white, and to-night her great eyes were soft and dog-like in their devotion.
"By the way," said Mr. Wycherly, "I haven't forgotten your inquiry about the poem that you cannot remember, and I have marked in a volume of Wordsworth a number of verses dealing with mountains. Perhaps you would like to look through it at your leisure."
"Thank you, sir," Jane-Anne whispered.
"I know nothing," Mr. Wycherly continued, "more annoying than a half-remembered quotation. I sincerely hope that you will soon find it."
For a moment there was silence, then:
"Sir," Jane-Anne said earnestly, "are you very lonely now the young gentlemen have gone back to school?"
"I do miss them greatly of course."
"Do you remember, sir, when you came to see me, when I was in bed the first day I was here, you said when they went back that the sun set for you——"
"Did I?" said Mr. Wycherly, rather surprised at himself.
"You really did, sir, and I wondered whether—though the sun has set—whether you'd let me try—to be a little tiny star—just so you wouldn't feel quite so lonely."