CHAPTER IX.
THE MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY.
"Thank you, dear. You have done me good," returned Averil, gratefully, when Annette had finished her little story.
"Ah! that is well, my cousin."
"No one has done me so much good before. But, Annette, you must call me Averil. We are strangers no longer. We must be sisters to each other. Lottie, too; there is no need to call her Miss Jones."
"I will remember. I will do anything that pleases you. Every day I shall grow more English. I shall learn your ways."
"I hope you and Lottie will be good friends."
"But why not? Already I feel to love her. She is bright—she has a sweet temper; and then, how she plays!"
"And you long to play, too?"
"Surely. And to sing; above all things, to sing. Oh, my cousin—I mean, Averil—what does that look mean? Is it that you will altogether crush me with kindness? I am to dwell in this fine house, and I am to dress as grandly as the consul's lady used to dress. And still that is not enough?"