But Florence knelt lovingly by the old lady’s side, and put her pretty head down on the black merino dress. “I would not be unkind to you for the world,” she said, “you know I would not.”
Mrs. Baines winked sorrowfully, but did not falter.
“You were very unkind. You hurt me more than I can say,” she said coldly.
Florence turned her lips towards the old lady’s hands, and kissed them. “Aunt Anne dear,” she said very softly, “you have no money——” Mrs. Baines stiffened herself, her voice became polite and distant.
“Thank you, my love, but I have sufficient to defray the expenses of my journey; and at the other end I shall be in a position to make arrangements.”
“Let me lend you a little,” her niece said humbly.
“No, my love”—and Mrs. Baines shook her head—“I cannot take it.”
But Florence thought of the ten shillings that constituted all the old lady’s funds, and felt miserable.
“You could pay me back,” she pleaded. “And don’t be angry, dear Aunt Anne, but you told me how poor you were in that lodging last year, and how cold; it makes my heart ache every time I think of it; and the winter and the cold are coming again. Oh, do stay here. You shall do anything in the world that makes you happy. I cannot bear to think of you in London; and it’s unkind of you to go, for we shall miss you so much, the children and I——” and she burst into tears.
Then Aunt Anne melted.