"Then we need not speak of it any more," returned Mr. Enderby. "I will take the responsibility of the child upon myself."
Mr. Rushton shrugged his shoulders. "Do as you please," he said, "but remember it is your own choice. If you change your mind, call upon me."
So the matter ended. When the library door opened, and the gentlemen were heard preparing to depart, Hetty flew upstairs and stole into the hall, where Mr. Enderby, who was the last to go, suddenly saw her little white face gazing at him with a dumb anxiety.
"Well, my dear," he said kindly, "how are you getting on?"
"Oh sir, will you please tell me where I am to go to?" implored Hetty.
"Don't fret yourself about that," said Mr. Enderby, buttoning up his coat. "We are not going to let you be lost. You just stay patiently with Mrs. Benson till you hear again from me."
And then he nodded to her and took his departure.
That evening he had a serious conversation with his wife about Hetty Gray.
"I have made up my mind it will be better to bring her here," he said abruptly.
"My dear! is that wise?" exclaimed his wife, thinking with sudden anxiety of Phyllis's great dislike to Hetty, and Hetty's uncompromising pride.