Rotha hesitated. "It was pleasanter there," she said with some embarrassment.
"You never should sit in a cold room. What did you want to be in a cold room for?"
Rotha hesitated again. "I wanted to be alone."
"Studying?"
"Not my lessons,"—said Rotha doubtfully.
"Not your lessons? If you and I were a little better acquainted, I should ask for a little more confidence. But I will not be unreasonable."
Rotha glanced again at the sweet face, so kindly now with all its penetrating acuteness and habit of authority; so sweet with its smile; and confidence sprang forth at the instant, together with the longing for help. Did not this look like a friend's face? Where else was she to find one? Reserve gave way.
"I was studying my duty," she said softly.
"Your duty, my dear? Was the difficulty about knowing it, or about doing it?"
"I think—about doing it."