Miss Morton walked to the bell and rang it. A few moments later the butler re-entered the room, standing with one hand on the door.
'Jones,' she said, 'take Master Wilmot to the spare bedroom to wash his face; and give him a comb and brush to do his hair.'
Jones took Jimmy upstairs to a large bedroom, and poured some water into a basin. Then he brought a clean towel, and showed Jimmy where to find the soap and the comb and brush. The butler then left him alone, and the boy took off his jacket and dipped his hands in the water. When he thought his hands were clean enough, he washed a round place on his face, and having wiped this nearly dry, he went to the looking-glass and brushed the front of his hair where he had made it wet. When he had put his coat on again he wondered whether he ought to wait for the butler or to go downstairs alone; but as Jones did not come back, Jimmy opened the door and went down.
He saw Miss Morton sitting in an arm-chair, and now that she had taken off her bonnet and veil he thought she looked more severe than ever.
'Come here, James,' she said, as he stood near the door. No one else had ever called him James. 'When did you hear from your mother?' she asked.
'I didn't have a letter last month,' he answered.
'I asked when you did have a letter,' said Aunt Selina,—'not when you didn't have one.'
'I think it was about two months ago,' said Jimmy.
'Did she say anything about coming home?' asked Aunt Selina.
'She said I might see her soon,' cried Jimmy. 'I do hope I shall.'