"Well are you glad to be home again?" said aunt Miriam after a pause in the conversation.
"Everybody asks me that question," said Fleda smiling.
"Perhaps for the same reason I did--because they thought you didn't look very glad."
"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.