“I expect he has found out that Miss Sampson knows more than he does,” said Pauline smilingly. “I want you to teach me something about flowers while I am here, Miss Sampson. I have schemes for a flower-box outside our windows at the flat. Don’t you think that would be a delightful plan, Rosie?”
Rhoda made some fitting response, but Pauline discerned the coldness in her voice. She said angrily to herself that Rhoda did not deserve to know what she could tell her. And ten minutes later she had fully made up her mind to speak to Miss Merivale. It was another discovery which had led her to a decision. She had wandered on before Rose towards the end of the garden, where an archway through a clipped yew hedge led to the stables and farm buildings. Her steps made no sound on the turf path, and she suddenly came in sight of Tom and Rhoda standing close to the archway. Rhoda had her gardening gloves and apron on, and a trowel in her hand. She had just been sowing seeds in the bed that ran along the yew hedge. Tom had come through the archway to bid her good-bye before starting on his long ride.
“I wish I was going to Bingley woods with you,” he said. “You will have a lovely day.”
“Yes, it will be beautiful,” Rhoda answered, finding it just as difficult as Tom did to speak these ordinary words in an ordinary tone. A blush came over her face, and she dropped her eyes. She could not meet his eager glance. For one moment Tom was silent—a moment that was eloquent to them both. Then, “Rhoda!” he said, almost below his breath.
It was at that moment Pauline turned the corner by the great lilac bushes and caught sight of them. Rhoda came towards her instantly, showing no sign of discomposure except a controlled quivering at the corners of her firm lips; but Pauline was not deceived by her calmness. Her only doubt was as to whether Tom shared Miss Merivale’s knowledge as to Rhoda’s parentage. And after a moment or two’s consideration she decided that he did not. It was impossible to look at Tom and doubt his perfect honesty.
After a short talk, he went through the archway to start on his ride, and Pauline returned to Rose, leaving Rhoda to her gardening.
“Rose, why didn’t you warn me?” she said in a tone of laughing reproach when she joined her. “I am afraid your brother will never forgive me. I have just interrupted a tête-à-tête.”
“What do you mean, Pauline?” asked Rose, jarred through and through by her friend’s tone.
“Is it possible you don’t guess, you blind girl? But perhaps you would rather I did not speak of it? I thought I could say anything to you, Rosie.”
“You spoke of Tom,” Rose answered. “Of course I know what you mean, Pauline.”