She moved away from him, clasped her arms round her knees, and sat silent.
"What is it—have I said anything to bother you?" asked Laurence alarmed.
"I'm just thinking," she answered absently.
After a time she began to speak her thoughts.
"It will seem odd, going to live at the Judge's house. Mother won't like it, she'll want us to stay here, she will think that people will think it's queer if we don't. But it wouldn't be best to live here. Father will understand, I think. He doesn't care what people think, it never bothers him at all. But Mother is different."
"And how about you, Mary? Does it suit you?"
"Oh, yes, until we can have a house of our own."
"That won't be for long, I hope. I'll do my best."
Mary turned and looked gravely at him.
"Do you feel contented to stay here, after all?"