“We will cheer her up all we can,” said Mrs. Haddo. “I have many schemes for next Christmas which will, I am sure, give pleasure to the girls who are obliged to stay here. But time enough for all that later on. You know, of course, Emma, that there are three vacancies in the upper school?”
“Caused by the absence of the dear young Maitlands,” replied Miss Symes. “I cannot tell you how much we miss them.”
“We do miss them,” said Mrs. Haddo, who paused and looked attentively at Miss Symes. “I don’t suppose,” she continued, “that there is any teacher in the school who knows so much about the characters of the girls as you do, my dear, good Emma.”
“I think I know most of their characters,” said Miss Symes; “characters in the forming, as one must assuredly say, but forming well, dear Mrs. Haddo. And who can wonder at that, under your influence?”
Mrs. Haddo’s face expressed a passing anxiety.
“Is anything wrong?” said Miss Symes.
“Why do you ask me, Emma? Have you—noticed anything?”
“Yes, certainly. I have noticed that you are troubled, dear friend; and Mary Arundel has also observed the same.”
“But the girls—the girls have said nothing about it?” inquired Mrs. Haddo.