Shabby and uncomfortable as their
lodgings were, not even beautiful Woodcote could have been a dearer home.
And a deadly chill seized her heart as she thought of living alone or with
strangers. Rhoda was a thorough woman in her need of a home to fill her
life. She had never felt Rose's desire to be free from home ties; she
could not have understood it.
"Rhoda means to ask Miss Desborough's advice, James," said Mrs. M'Alister,
putting down her sewing. "She knows a great many girls who get their
living in London and board out somewhere. I shan't feel happy till I see
Rhoda comfortably settled."
"Oh, we'll manage that for her," returned the farmer briskly. "And now
this Miss Merivale has taken her up she'll get plenty of work, never
fear."
"How would it do for you to live with Miss Smythe?" suggested Mrs.
M'Alister, looking anxiously at Rhoda. "Now Miss Desborough is going away,
she will want somebody, won't she?"
A smile broke over Rhoda's face. She had never spoken of Pauline's
contemptuous rudeness to her aunt. She had felt too indifferent to her to
be hurt by her behaviour; and since her visit to Leyton, the week before,
she had a special reason for being amused at it. But this she had not
mentioned.
"Miss Smythe would think me very bold if I suggested living with her, Aunt
Mary," she said, in a voice that had a ripple of laughter in it.
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