Hope reddened.
"You didn't find it easy, I perceived, to talk with the new pupil."
"N—o, I didn't," faltered Hope.
"She was hard to get on with, wasn't she?"
"I—I don't know. I—talked to her—I paid her what attention I could."
"But she was disagreeable to you?"
"She didn't intend to be—I—I didn't fancy her, Miss Marr."
Miss Marr looked the surprise she felt. She had never known Hope to take such a sudden dislike.
"I didn't fancy her, and I suppose I was stiff with her; but I tried—I tried to be polite to her."
"Of course you did. I'm not finding fault with you, dear. You did what you could to help me, and it was kind of you. I'm sorry you feel as you do, but don't trouble any more about it; it will wear off, I dare say; and now make haste and go to bed,—you look tired."