Hilda Lessways

ley in D

t the fur edges of it curved away somewhat between the buttons, and all the upper part of the figure seemed to be too strictly confined, while the petticoats surged out freely beneath. A muff, brightly coloured to match the skirt and the bonnet and her cheeks, completed the costume. She went into the house through the garden and delicately stamped her feet on the lobby tiles, partly to warm them

matic hand that was primly held out to her. And yet in spite of herself, perhaps unknown to herself, there was in her

visibility will cease to excite any remark, except, “She keeps herself to herself nowadays.” To Hilda Miss Gailey appeared no older; her brown hair had very little grey in it, and her skin was fairly smooth and well-preserved. But she seemed curiously smaller, and less significant, this woman who, with a certain pedagogic air, used to instruct girls in grace and boys in gallantry

as still perfect of speech. But the authority and the importance were gone in substance: only the shadow of them remained. She had now, indeed, a manner half apologetic and half defiant, but timorously and weakly defiant. Her head was restless with little nervous movements; her watery eyes seemed to say: “Do not suppose that I am not as proud and independent as eve

ing, came between them to warm her hands that were shining with cold, despite muff and gl

with slow stiffn

ld disturb you, Sarah!”

ss Gailey composedly. “I w

t in quite the latest style of fashionable aprons; not being edible, it had probably been long preserved in a wardrobe, on the chance of just such an occasion as this. She adjusted the elastic round

s. Lessways was very loyal to her former crony, and moreover she had necessarily to support the honour of the older generation against the younger. It seemed incredible to Hilda that this woman who sat with such dignity and such gentility by her mother’s fire was she who the day before yesterday h

ted her with the calm and omniscient detachment of a deity, and said to Caroline when she was gone that Florrie seemed a promising little thing—with the ‘makin

i

aid Hilda, during tea. The meal was progressing satisfactor

aracteristic nervous movement of the head

ugh it was she who had informed Hilda of the vague project. Somehow, in presence of her old friend,

adult, and no longer a foal-legged pupil for dancing. “Well, he seems so set on it. He came round to see me about it yesterday morning, wi

e, arching her eyebrows. She spoke much

ding-house that he’s got control of up there. Something about

on’t,” s

taking charge of this boarding-house. He will have it it’s jus

lendid housekeeper,” said M

at your annual dances,” said

hose myself,” Miss Gail

at dances,” said Mrs. Lessways, “but I d

red. “He says he never had such meals and su

time he ever left you!” exclaimed

ses and furnished rooms and so on. He always did say there was lots of money to be made out of them if only they were managed properly; only they never are.... He ought to know; he’s been a bachelor long

!” cried

ferior range of her experience: Sarah and Caroline recalled to each other dozens of persons and events, op

tioned Caroline. “My grandfather—Hilda’s great-grandfather—t

n’t. But I dare say I

y that wou

nnon says. He says it isn’t as if I didn’t know what London is.... But

utly, and yet with a care for Sarah’s sensi

tive; and her mouth worked uneasily. T

On your goin

es

why

’t know whet

younger than I am, and I’m not going to have anyone making

Caroline. I re

to lose you,” Caroline concluded. “Th

ed, gazing with her watery eye

aid Mrs. Lessways sharply and self-consciousl

f George Cannon, who possessed a mysterious gift of finding an opportunity for everybody who needed it. He had set Hilda on her feet; and he was doing the same for his half-sister, and with such skilful diplomacy that Miss Gailey was able to pretend to herself and to others that George Cannon, and not Sarah Gailey, was the obliged person. But now Hilda saw Sarah Gailey afraid to

ght of that pathos. Yes, it was a fact that she could not bear to look! Nor could she bear to let her imagination roam into Miss Gailey’s immediate past! She said to herself: “Only yesterday morning perhaps she didn’t know where her next meal was

nted, with good humour. And then they

an this be?” But such questions cannot be put in the presence of a newly reconciled old friend.