'Oh, yes--she grudged nothing--but she never expected to meet with
gratitude--she was quite prepared--' and she swallowed and almost
sobbed, 'there had been changes. She was ready to make every excuse-
-she was sure she had done her best--but she understood--she didn't
want to be assured. It always happened so--she knew her homely ways
were not what Mrs. Kendal had been used to--and she didn't wonder--
she only hoped the dear children--' and she was absolutely crying.
'My dear Maria,' said her mother, soothingly, 'you have worked
yourself into such a state, that you don't know what you are saying.
You must not let Mrs. Kendal think that we don't know that she is
leading the dear children to all that is right and kind towards as.'
'Oh, no, I don't accuse any one. Only if they like to put me down
under their feet and trample on me, they are welcome. That's all I
have to say.'
Albinia was too much annoyed to be amused, and said, as she rose to
take leave, 'I think it would be better for Gilbert, as well as for
ourselves, if we were to say no more till some more cool and
reasonable moment.'
'I am as cool as possible,' said Miss Meadows, convulsively clutching
her hand; 'I'm not excited. Don't excite yourself, Mrs. Kendal--it
is very bad for you. Tell her not, Mamma--oh! no, don't be excited--
I mean nothing--I forgive poor dear Gibbie whatever little matters--I
know there was excuse--boys with unsettled homes--but pray don't go
and excite yourself--you see how cool I am--'
And she pursued Albinia to the garden-gate, recommending her at every
step not to be excited, for she was as cool as possible, trembling
and stammering all the time, with flushed cheeks, and tears in her
eyes.
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