Hetty's ears burned with the implied taunt to herself, but she said with great dignity:
"You can go now, Lucy. I don't think I have anything more to say to you."
And Lucy found herself willing to go, though she had intended saying a great many more sharp things to the child, whom she, like Grant, regarded as an impertinent little upstart.
That evening Hetty made a tremendous effort and wrote a letter to Mrs. Enderby.
"Deer Madam,—My foot is well, but Mrs. Kane is making me good and I would like to stay with her. I am sorry for Badness and giving trubbel. I could lern to work and be Mrs. Kane's child.
Yours obeedyentley, HETTY."
Mr. and Mrs. Enderby smiled over this letter together that evening.
"Poor little monkey," said the former, "there is more in her than I imagined. But what spelling for a girl of her age!"
"Might it not do to allow her to stay where she is, coming up here for lessons, and to walk occasionally with the girls?"
"I do not like the idea of it," said Mr. Enderby. "I would rather she stayed here and went as often as she pleased to see her early friends. It is evident they have a good influence upon her. Yet it would not be fair to let her grow up with their manners if she is to earn her bread among people of a higher class."
So when Mrs. Enderby went next day to visit Hetty she was firm in her decision that the little girl should return to the Hall. She discovered Hetty busy sweeping up the cottage hearth in her gingham blouse. Hetty dropped her broom and hung her head.