Mrs. Crook asked no more questions just then, and Fanny plied her needle in silence until the arrival of the milk-boy called her to answer the door. Then work had to be put away and tea got ready, but the little talk was not forgotten. It had given Mrs. Crook plenty to think about, and made the girl much happier, since it had brought her mistress nearer to her.
"I hope," thought the latter, "the girl will not take liberties, because I have made more free with her than usual this afternoon."
Perhaps Fanny divined what was passing through her mind, for Mrs. Crook noted with pleasure that she was, if possible, more respectful and quiet in manner than before.
A little later in the evening Mrs. Crook told her maid that she felt rather afraid to accept Miss Lawton's invitation.
"I know," she said, "that doctors do not like for sick people to be agitated by many callers. It does them harm, instead of good, and it is not as if I was a relation or a particular friend of the young lady. But I do like her, and I should love to see her once more, only I would not be the means of doing her harm to please myself."
Here was a new thing! Mrs. Crook thinking more of what would be good for another than of what would be pleasing to herself.
"I do not think you need be afraid of going, ma'am," replied Fanny. "Miss Lawton scarcely sees anybody but her own family, only she wished so particularly to see you that the doctor gave in, and let her send that message by me."
Mrs. Crook was again silent for some time; Fanny's reply had given her another problem to solve.
Why was Miss Lawton anxious to see her above other people? She could have nothing to gain by it; she had already everything this world could give, and was likely to be called away from it ere long.
Why should she care about a mere acquaintance, made through an old Sunday scholar?