"I am glad," said Fleda, "but I believe not so glad as I was last year."
"Why not?"
"I suppose I had a pleasanter time. I have got a little spoiled, I believe, aunt Miriam," Fleda said, with glistening eyes and an altering voice "I don't take up my old cares and duties kindly at first I shall be myself again in a few days."
Aunt Miriam looked at her with that fond, wistful, benevolent look which made Fleda turn away.
"What has spoiled you, love?"
"Oh! easy living and pleasure, I suppose," Fleda said, but said with difficulty.
"Pleasure?" said aunt Miriam, putting one arm gently round her. Fleda struggled with herself.
"It is so pleasant, aunt Miriam, to forget these money cares! to lift one's eyes from the ground, and feel free to stretch out one's hand not to be obliged to think about spending sixpences, and to have one's mind at liberty for a great many things that I haven't time for here. And Hugh and aunt Lucy somehow things seem sad to me."
Nothing could be more sympathizingly kind than the way in which aunt Miriam brought Fleda closer to her side, and wrapped her in her arms.
"I am very foolish," Fleda whispered. "I am very wrong I shall get over it."