“Helen,” resumed Hope, “Mr Insches comes here very often, does he not?” Hope looked immensely jealous.
Helen did not answer; there was some annoyance, and a good deal of mirth upon her face.
“Yes, Hope,” said Mrs Buchanan, sedately, “Mr Insches is a good lad. He visits far better than any minister that has been in Fendie since I came.”
“Ah, but he does not visit everybody else as often as he visits you!” exclaimed the jealous Hope. “Helen, do you like him?”
The merry ring of Helen’s laugh did not by any means please Hope this morning.
“Surely,” she said; “why should I not like him, Hope?”
“Ah, I don’t mean that,” said Hope; “but—I am sure you don’t care for him, Helen?”
Helen blushed again; but her answer was more satisfactory this time.
“No, indeed, Hope; not the very least in the world.”
“Mr Insches is a fine lad,” repeated Mrs Buchanan, significantly.