“Indeed I have,” answered Miss Heath, with ready sympathy; “I have felt like that more than once during this past year, since my dear father left me, and I have been alone in the world. I know just what you mean, Gretel. There have been days when I have felt that I could spend my last penny for a ticket to the opera.”
Gretel gave a little start, and caught her friend’s hand eagerly, but before she could speak, a figure passed in front of the window, and Miss Heath rose hastily, exclaiming:
“Here comes Mr. Douane; run and open the door for him, Gretel.”
Mr. Douane had come to take Miss Heath to a concert, which was to be given that afternoon by the Hampton colored students; Gretel had a momentary hope that she might be included in the party, but nothing was said on the subject, and she had already noticed that Percy seemed to like to keep Miss Heath to himself.
“The storm is getting worse,” Mr. Douane remarked, warming his hands at the fire, while Miss Heath went away to put on her things. “I am sorry for the people going by the boat to-night; the wind is rising, and I think we are in for a stiff gale.”
Gretel went and stood beside her brother on the rug, and he put his arm round her, and looked down very kindly into her flushed, happy little face. She was hoping that Miss Heath might mention the music lessons to him that afternoon, but did not quite dare broach the subject herself.
“What are you going to do this afternoon, Pussy?” Mr. Douane asked.
“She is going to stay with the twins and keep them out of mischief,” said Miss Heath, returning at that moment, in hat and waterproof. “Mr. and Mrs. Barlow are going to a tea at the colonel’s house, and the children are to be left to themselves. Mrs. Barlow appears to have perfect confidence in them, but I confess I don’t feel quite so sure of their keeping out of mischief. I always feel quite safe, however, when Gretel is with them, for she has a level little head on her shoulders.”
Gretel watched her brother and Miss Heath from the window until they were out of sight, and then went up-stairs in quest of Jerry and Geraldine. She found them sitting on the sofa in the temporary nursery, and, somewhat to her surprise, neither of their faces brightened at sight of their friend and comrade.
“We thought you’d gone home,” remarked Geraldine; “you didn’t tell us you were going to stay.”