"Who wrote it?"
"Hester Gresley."
"I think I've heard of her," said Janet cautiously. "Mrs Smith, our Rector's wife, says that Mr Smith does not approve of her books; they have such a low tone. I think Fred read one of them on a visit once. I haven't time myself for much reading."
Silence.
"I should like," said Janet, turning her clear, wide gaze upon Anne, "I should like to read the books you read, and know the things you know. I should like to—to be like you."
A delicate colour came into Anne's face, and she looked down embarrassed at the volume in her hand.
"Would you read me a little bit?" said Janet. "Not beginning at the beginning, but just going on where you left off."
"I am afraid you might not care for it any more than Mr Smith does."
"Oh! I'm not deeply read like Mr Smith. Is it poetry?"