“Yes, I understand,” he replied, as he sipped his coffee, “but Henry West has some sort of a grudge against me. Guess he thinks that at one time I cared for his sister.” Bess noticed a swift, sneering smile flit across his lips. He continued: “One never knows what to expect from these Indians.”
“S—sh,” warned Bess, glancing at the servant. She did not like what he was saying nor the tone of his voice, and as soon as he had finished his breakfast she hurriedly left him. Could the cause of all of Henry’s hatred be the sister whom he had loved so tenderly, she wondered.
[CHAPTER VIII]
BESS LEARNS THE REAL CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT
The girl had begun to tidy up the living-room and the pretty library, with its shelves of choice books, when Mrs. West came in to remonstrate. “There are plenty of hands to do those tasks, Miss Bess,” she said, as she held the girl’s hands in her own. “You just go out and enjoy yourself, dear. It is such a pretty day that it is a pity to stay indoors.”
“Oh, please let me help you, Mrs. West,” pleaded Bess, “for I do enjoy working; and then, too, with your increased family you will be overtaxed.” The girl spoke with such earnestness that Mrs. West relented, thinking perhaps Bess would feel more at home if she assumed some little responsibilities. “You see,” Bess explained, “my father insisted upon the nuns at the convent teaching me all kinds of housework and serving, and it has been a great source of comfort to me to feel that I need not be dependent upon anyone to do these tasks for me.”
Mrs. West’s eyes followed the girl as she continued her task quietly and quickly, all the while busily talking.
“You’ll be surprised, little Mother, when I tell you that I have made nearly all of my own clothes. You’ll let me help you sew, too, won’t you? It must be a great problem for you to find anyone here, is it not?”
The deft fingers were putting little touches here and there, now arranging a vase of flowers or moving a picture, and Mrs. West noted with pleasure how soon the room bore evidence of her artistic taste.