"There was an old woman inside as well as you, Edina," cried Alfred.
"Yes. It was she who came by the same train, and got out at the station. She is housekeeper, she told me, in some family near here."
Edina caught up little Bobby as she spoke, and the matter dropped. But an impression remained on the minds of the elder children that Edina was more stingy than ever, or she would never have travelled in Tuppin's van when there was a fly to be had for the hiring. Certainly Edina's were saving ways. Contrasted with their own reckless ones, they appeared "stingy." But the time was to come when they would learn how mistaken was the impression, and how they had misjudged her.
"And how are you getting on, Uncle Francis?" asked Edina.
"Going backwards, my dear. What with no money, so to say, coming in, and everything going out——"
The major stopped for want of adequate words to express the position. Edina resumed.
"But you have some money coming in, Uncle Francis. You have your income."
"But what is it, my dear, as compared with the expenses? Besides, to tell you the truth, it is always forestalled. There always seems to be such a lot to pay."
"How uneasy it must make you!"
"Not a bit of it," spoke the major, cheerily. "With Eagles' Nest in prospective, it does not matter at all, Talking of Eagles' Nest, Edina, have you heard anything of your aunt Ann lately?"