"But you are always so kind! You never gave any trouble of any sort," was Rosamund's response. "You seemed to understand us in a sort of fashion. It was—Lucy!" she added with a burst.
"Lucy is my darling, beloved, and only child. You must not say a word against her. I cannot stand it."
"Very well, I will try not to; but you know she does not like me."
"She certainly doesn't; but has she any reason for liking you, Rosamund?"
"Perhaps she has not; that is quite probable. I know I was not particularly good when I was at Sunnyside."
"And do you think you are particularly good now?"
"I do not. Perhaps I see my faults more plainly than ever. But I have helped Irene, and Irene is worth helping."
"I hardly dare to think of what I have come about to-day; but the Professor has sent me. He has received a letter from your mother, and he has also seen Mr. Singleton, and Mr. Singleton has suggested an extraordinary thing. He wants both you and Irene—yes, the dreaded, the feared Irene—to come to our beautiful house for next term. You were practically expelled from the school; but he wants you to come back again, and the Professor has sent me to say that he is willing to receive you both, on condition that you will not disturb the peace of the house."
"As far as I am concerned, I will not disturb it; but I cannot answer for Irene."
"I dread her unspeakably," said Mrs. Merriman. "Do walk with me for a little down this path, my dear. You, of course, are only an ordinarily naughty girl. You have been very disobedient, but I can overlook that, and perhaps understand it; but she—some people say she is not quite right in the head. Do you think that is true?"