"The poor little boy seems to have been their idol," Ada said with a sigh,
miserably oppressed.
The younger girl had pleased the lady very much by her demeanour; so
composed, so unselfish, so evidently aware of the trying ordeal it was for
the visitor, so sweetly striving to be gracious.
Sir Francis nodded. "I have always liked the manner of that younger girl."
"And she is quite lovely, Francis."
He did not know about the loveliness, the brother said, but he believed
her to be simple and conscientious and good. He looked at his sister's
plain face: "Every woman who is that is lovely," he announced.
"I am going there again," Ada said.
"It won't seem an intrusion?"
"I will risk it. They appear to have no friends."
After the second visit she had something more definite to relate. "I hope
you will approve, but if you don't it can't be helped," she said, "for the
thing is arranged. That younger girl, Deleah, is coming here."
"Here? On a visit, you mean?"
"She is coming to be my companion. It is the only way I can discover in
which we can be of use to them. The poor child has been receiving fifteen
pounds a year. I can give her fifty--"
"You haven't forgotten how that young fool, Reggie, made a bigger fool of
himself over this girl.
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