"She will be angry," said Brenda; and, after a moment's silence, burst out laughing.
"Think I'd better not show it?"
"Oh, you must let her see it; because, if you don't, someone else will—inevitably."
Helston leaned back in his chair, with reminiscent eyes fixed on the glowing fire.
"You and I were right, Brenda, when we believed her to be above the average: she ought to go far."
"Never for a moment have I doubted it," his wife answered. "She has power! Her smallness, her silence, her strength—it is a wonderful combination. Many a time I have thanked God for her."
"I fancy," said Harry reflectively, "that Mrs. Cooper to this day believes that we shall repent, and that it was Melicent who corrupted her entire household, girls, maids, governess, all in the space of two or three weeks."
"If she does, the vicar knows better," returned his wife, "and is glad enough for Gwen and Theo to come to us whenever they can."
"I believe we made one mistake," thoughtfully pursued the man. "I have often wished that I had not complied with the vicar's written request that the Burmesters should be told nothing. I don't want them to think there is anything to conceal, as far as Millie is concerned. You see, Mayne doesn't like the circumstances of her leaving Africa talked about, and Cooper doesn't like the circumstances of her leaving the Vicarage talked about. At this rate, it seems to me that she may become a Woman with a Past, if we don't take care."
"Oh, pooh," said Brenda; "don't make a fuss about nothing. Everybody knows what the Coopers are."