"You did yourself. I have an inward conviction that some day my longing will be realised, and that I shall be a doctor. I know it seems all but impossible, but I have the faith, and that makes all the difference in the world. You see I owe a great deal to you, Giles."
A few more words passed between them, and then Edgar went back to his mother and his tea. He left Giles very happy, but with a quiet kind of happiness. In Dora's unexpected joy, she had not known how to keep herself still, but Giles sat with only a slight smile on his face. Then a grave, studious expression stole over his features, and with doubled application, he went on with his exercise.
Katie, comparatively speaking, spent very little of her holiday at home. The Paffords had decided to change their abode, and on Tuesday in Easter week began their removal. Katie, who was very good-natured, offered her services, and as her training had made her extremely useful and quick, she gave considerable help. Indeed, Connie took more help from her than was just or right. She had been told she must pack all her own possessions in her room, and, finding Katie willing to pack, fetch, and carry, she merely directed, and her friend did her utmost to obey her wishes.
By the end of the holidays the Paffords were tolerably settled in their new home, and Katie was filled with envy at the large, freshly-painted apartments and handsome furniture. Above all, she longed to possess a similar room to Connie's. With its pretty maple-wood suite, and its dainty curtains and toilet arrangements, it presented an unpleasing contrast to the barely furnished, almost carpetless room which she shared with Olive and Lottie.
Connie had often talked of a grand party her parents meant to give as a house-warming, and as several young people were to be invited, Katie naturally looked forward to being one of the guests. The party, however, was postponed until the beginning of June, and Connie had told her that a marquee would be erected on the lawn, which, decorated with flowers and Chinese lanterns, would serve for a supper-room.
But Katie received no invitation, and as the time drew near she wondered whether she had not better give Connie a hint that she had forgotten to say she would be expected, when a conversation she overheard explained the omission. Poor Katie! It was a hard lesson she learnt that morning.
The room in which Miss Loam's pupils hung their hats and jackets was separated into two divisions by a curtain, one being used by the elder, and the other by the younger girls. Now Katie had been asked if she would kindly see to the dressing of two little sisters, and on this particular day she was attending to this duty when she heard Connie's voice on the other side of the curtain.
It was the mention of her own name that first attracted her attention. Of course she should have made her presence known, but she was so astonished, hurt, and indignant at what she heard, that it never once entered her mind she ought to warn her schoolfellows that she was within earshot. So, with burning cheeks and great anger at her heart, she bent over little Nita Westmacott's shoe as she buttoned it, listening to what was said of her.
SHE BENT OVER LITTLE NITA'S SHOE.