"A what? Joyce Mirlees used that word in connection with herself? What could she mean?"
"I use her own word, Alec."
"Then I presume she was falling back on the only resource of a friendless young gentlewoman, a governess's post."
"No, dear; Joyce did not consider herself sufficiently accomplished to take a situation as governess. People want so much nowadays, and Joyce, though to my mind unusually well-educated in all that is most valuable, had none of the more showy qualifications."
"She had those which, showy or not, are most valuable in every-day life, and really show the most too, because they are in hourly exercise for the good of others. Tell me, now, what were the duties she undertook?"
"She went as attendant to two little children."
"Do you mean as a nursemaid?"
"The children were too old to need nursing. Joyce wrote of them that they were the most winning little creatures imaginable, and quite a comfort to her."
"She needed some comfort, poor child!" said Major Caruth, with a sigh. "And you, mother; what did you do for the daughter of an old friend?"
He spoke quietly, but his face and words expressed deep feeling.