Fanny Merton hesitated, looked at Mrs. Colwood a moment dubiously, and
finally walked up to her.
"Oh, I don't care about going out, it's so cold and nasty. And, besides,
I--I want to talk to you."
"Miss Mallory thought you might like to see the old gardens," said Mrs.
Colwood. "But if you would rather not venture out, I'm afraid I must go
and write some letters."
"Why, you were writing letters all the morning! My fingers would drop
off if I was to go on at it like that. Do you like being a companion? I
should think it was rather beastly--if you ask me. At home they did talk
about it for me. But I said: 'No, thank you! My own mistress, if
you please!'"
The speaker sat down by the fire, raised her skirt of purple cloth, and
stretched a pair of shapely feet to the warmth. Her look was
good-humored and lazy.
"I am very happy here," said Mrs. Colwood, quietly. "Miss Mallory is so
charming and so kind."
Miss Fanny cleared her throat, poked the fire with the tip of her shoe,
fidgeted with her dress, and finally said--abruptly:
"I say--have all the people about here called?"
The tone was so low and furtive that Mrs.
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