“Put it here by the wash-hand stand,” she said; “and bring some more coals, please. This fire is not nearly large enough. The room is chilly.”
She spoke very cheerfully. Hannah left the room at once. Just at that moment there came a knock at the door.
“Father says that supper is ready,” said Charley’s voice.
“Oh, I haven’t spoken to you, Charley,” said Mrs Grant.
She went to the door, took his hand, and wrung it.
“Good boy,” she said. “You will help me all you can.”
I saw him gazing at her very hard; then he went downstairs, almost like a flash. I wondered what he was going to say to Alex.
Meanwhile I stood silent by the fire. Miss Grace Donnithorne, that was, faced me. She had removed her hat and taken off her jacket. She had a little comb in her pocket; with this she smoothed out her hair. She went to the wash-stand and washed her hands. Hannah appeared with the coals.
“Put a good many on, please, Hannah. I want the room to be quite warm,” said the new mistress.
Hannah obeyed. The late Miss Grace Donnithorne looked round the room.