Effie met Mildred with a pleased look, a cheerful greeting, and warm thanks for the book.
"I am so glad to see you!" she said, "and it was very kind in you to come; for I am owing you a call. I thought I should have paid it long ago, but there are so many days when I don't feel quite equal to the walk."
"You do walk out then?"
"Oh yes! every day when the weather is good. That is part of the cure. But I cannot walk fast or far."
"I hope you are improving."
"Yes, I believe so, but very slowly. I'm never confined to bed, but never able to do much, and the books are such a blessing."
From that they fell into talk about books and authors and were mutually pleased to find their tastes were similar as regarded literature, and that their religious views accorded.
It was the beginning of a friendship which became a source of great enjoyment to both.
Effie had learned to love Mrs. Keith. That drew Mildred toward her; and their common faith in Christ and love to Him, was a yet stronger bond of union.