"Whatever you wished," she replied, smiling.

"In other words, what you thought your duty?"

"I suppose that is what one should try to do."

"I guess you are the one that would succeed in doing it, even to Mrs.
Mumpson," he said, turning hastily away and going to his room.

She was puzzled again. "I'm sure I don't dote on self-sacrifice and hard duty
any more than he does, but I can't tell him that duty is not hard when it's to
him."

Jane was given the room over the kitchen which Mrs. Wiggins had occupied, and
the farmhouse soon adopted her into its quiet routine. Holcroft's course
continued to cause Alida a dissatisfaction which she could scarcely define.
He was as kind as ever he had been and even more considerate; he not only
gratified her wishes, but tried to anticipate them, while Jane's complete
subserviency proved that she had been spoken to very plainly.

One day she missed her spelling lesson for the third time, and Alida told her
that she must learn it thoroughly before going out. The child took the book
reluctantly, yet without a word. "That's a good girl!" said Alida, wishing to
encourage her. "I was afraid at first you wouldn't mind me so readily."

"He told me to. He'd fire me out the window if I didn't mind you."

"Oh, no! I think he's very kind to you."