"She was there. She was only gone to New York to get help; for all the servants had run away."
"Then they knew what was the matter," said Clarissa.
"I don't know," said Matilda. "They seemed frightened or jealous. They all went off."
"Like them," said Mrs. Candy. "Who did the nursing at last?"
"Mrs. Laval and Miss Redwood."
"Who is Miss Redwood?"
"She keeps house for Mr. Richmond."
A perceptible shadow darkened the faces of both mother and daughter. Matilda wished herself away; but she could not end her visit while it was yet so short; that would not do.
"And so you have been wasting six weeks at the parsonage,—doing absolutely nothing!"
It had not been precisely that. But Matilda thought it was best to be silent.