Fleda looked up and smiled a pleased answer.
"There is something very lovely in the faithfulness of tried friendship, and very uncommon."
"I know that it is uncommon only by hearsay," said Fleda. "I have so many good friends."
He was silent for an instant, possibly thinking there might be a reason for that, unknown only to Fleda herself.
"Perhaps one must be in peculiar circumstances to realize it," he said, sighing; "circumstances that leave one of no importance to any one in the world. But it is a kind lesson, one learns to depend more on the one friendship that can never disappoint."
Fleda's eyes again gave an answer of sympathy; for she thought from the shade that had come upon his face, that these circumstances had probably been known to himself.
"This is rather an amusing scene," he remarked presently, in a low tone.
"Very," said Fleda. "I have never seen such a one before."
"Nor I," said he. "It is a pleasant scene, too; it is pleasant to see so many evidences of kindness and good feeling on the part of all these people."
"There is all the more show of it, I suppose, to-day," said Fleda, "because we have a new minister coming; they want to make a favourable impression."