“What have you made for him, Miss Greatheart?”
“I? Oh, nothing! He has so many beautiful presents from the young ladies in the village that he has no need of them from me, even if I had the time to make them, which I have not; all day I am teaching in the school, and all the evening I am busy preparing lessons for the following day.”
“Have you always lived here?”
“Not always. My mother was a prison matron at Preston, and we lived together until she died, several years ago; then, through the influence of some friends, I got this place, and have lived here ever since!”
“Working and striving,” added Walter; “finding pleasure in things which to some would mean only trouble and irritation. During the holidays do you ever come to London, Miss Greatheart?”
“No; I generally remain here.”
“From choice?”
“Not at all. I should like a change; but then, to go alone to a city where you have no friends, and to parade crowded streets alone, is a holiday which I should not enjoy.”
Walter rose to go.
“You will come back and finish the sketch on Monday, perhaps?” said Dora.