He had a pressing invitation from Mr. and Mrs. Whitwell to repeat his visit, and this he promised to do at no distant date; but for a little time he was full of engagements. He wished, very sincerely, that he might become better acquainted with the youngest daughter of his host, who puzzled as much as she pleased him.
Of course, he did not forget the commission which she had given him.
“When are you going to tell me your name?” asked Arthur Knight, when the lady in grey presented herself before him as a deputation from Paradise Grove.
The question disconcerted his visitor, whose cheeks flushed, while her eyes sought the floor.
“Excuse me, Mr. Knight,” she said, “the name does not matter. Please call me the Basket Woman, as usual.”
She stole a glance into his face, and saw that he was looking at her intently; but she would not allow anything to interfere with the task that she had on hand, and hastily proceeded to explain the cause of her visit.
“I come as a deputation from Paradise Grove,” she said. “Fanny Burton was to have come with me; but, unfortunately, one of the children in the Grove was seized with croup in the night, so that we could not both be spared. Your astonishingly kind proposition has been the subject of much talk among the people, but I am afraid you will find the scheme more costly and troublesome than you have imagined.”
“I suppose they are not enthusiastic, are they?”
“Perhaps it cannot be said that on the whole they are. Years of dull poverty and hopelessness have taken all the spirit of enterprise out of some of them; but many quite appreciate the offer, and are looking forward with interest and expectation. I think the idea magnificent. And I do not mean a single individual of my people to be out of it.”
“That is right. You will no doubt get your own way; and I am much obliged to you.”