"Thank you, yes; it was a great treat being with my mother and sister again."
"We missed you sadly, and are not sorry to welcome you back again. Edith and Fanny have both grown weary of themselves and idleness; as for Alice, only yesterday, while I was dressing for dinner, having taken the child with me into my room, she amused herself by scrubbing the floor with my toothbrush, having managed to turn up a piece of the carpet in one of the corners; indeed, I should weary you, did I recount half she has been guilty of in the way of mischief."
Amy smiled, and Mrs. Linchmore continued,
"Did you ever leave home before for so long a time?"
"Never. My mother and I had never been parted until I came here."
"You must have felt it very much. I trust Mrs. Neville is well?"
"No. I regret to say I am not quite satisfied with my mother. I do not see any very material change, neither can I say she is ill, but I notice a difference somewhere. I fear she frets a great deal, she is so much alone."
"But your sister?"
"She is too young to be much of a companion to mamma, and I think tries her a great deal. She has been rather a spoilt child, being so much younger than I."
"Younger children always are spoilt. Have you no friends besides Mrs. Elrington?"