"Ask Him now, darling, to help you all your life to be a workman approved of God."
Again there was silence. The old clock ticked those precious moments away, but at the same time registered a child's desire for a nobler life.
The lesson-time was over as the hour struck. Lesson books had not, after all, played a great part in the morning's work; but was not something learned of greater worth?
"Off you go," said Margaret brightly, and, pressing a light kiss upon the tumbled curls, she turned and went out quietly, leaving her charge to her own devices.
When they afterwards met at luncheon, all traces of the storm were past, and Ellice chatted responsively to the governess she had intended earlier to hate for ever and ever.
CHAPTER VI
OLD FRIENDS
Nothing was allowed to disturb Dr. Crane during his breakfast-time; his wife took her meal in silence, while he studied his letters and newspaper. This morning was no exception to the general rule, but suddenly he laid down his correspondence, and said abruptly:
"By the way, Mary, have you heard anything from Margaret Woodford lately?"
"A few days ago," she answered. "Why do you ask?"