Not a movement escaped her and she did nothing that was not done
by one of the others first. She said nothing, but if she had to
answer a question, she spoke with such care and precision that she
almost seemed to be using a foreign language. Miss Hale smiled but
with inward approval, and that night she was in better spirits.
"Jack," she said, when he came to bid her good-night, "I think
we'd better stay here a few days. I thought of course you were
exaggerating, but she is very, very lovely. And that manner of
hers--well, it passes my understanding. Just leave everything to
me."
Hale was very willing to do that. He had all trust in his sister's
judgment, he knew her dislike of interference, her love of
autocratic supervision, so he asked no questions, but in grateful
relief kissed her good-night.
The sister sat for a long time at her window after he was gone.
Her brother had been long away from civilization; he had become
infatuated, the girl loved him, he was honourable and in his heart
he meant to marry her--that was to her the whole story. She had
been mortified by the misstep, but the misstep made, only one
thought had occurred to her--to help him all she could.
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