“Who did you say never cared to be pitied?” asked Miss Henderson.
“Never you mind.”
“And yet, Evelyn, I think I have heard the words. You allude to your mother. I understand from Lady Frances that your mother is dead. You loved her, did you not?”
Evelyn gave a quick nod; her face seemed to say, “That is nothing to you.”
“I see you did, and she was fond of you.”
In spite of herself Evelyn gave another nod.
“Poor little girl; how sad to be without her!”
“Don’t,” said Evelyn in a strained voice.
“You lived all your early days in Tasmania, and your mother was good to you because she loved you, and you loved her back; you tried to please her because you loved her.”
“Oh, bother!” said Evelyn.