All the same, Bernardine was relieved when Mrs. Reffold went to fetch some silks, and left her with Mr. Reffold.

“I am very happy this afternoon, Little Brick,” he said to her.  “My wife has been sitting with me.  But instead of enjoying the pleasure as I ought to have done, I began to find fault with her.  I don’t know how long I should not have gone on grumbling, but that I suddenly recollected what you taught me:  that we were not to come down like sledge-hammers on each other’s failings.  When I remembered that, it was quite easy to forgive all the neglect and thoughtlessness.  Since you have talked to me, Little Brick, everything has become easier to me!”

“It is something in your own mind which has worked this,” she said; “your own kind, generous mind, and you put it down to my words!”

But he shook his head.

“If I knew of any poor unfortunate devil that wanted to be eased and comforted,” he said, “I should tell him about you, Little Brick.  You have been very good to me.  You may be clever, but you have never worried my stupid brain with too much scholarship.  I’m just an ignorant chap, and you’ve never let me feel it.”

He took her hand and raised it reverently to his lips.

“I say,” he continued, “tell my wife it made me happy to have her with me this afternoon; then perhaps she will stay in another time.  I should like her to know.  And she was sweet in her manner, wasn’t she?  And, by Jove, she is beautiful!  I am glad you have seen her here to-day.  It must be dull for her with an invalid like me.  And I know I am irritable.  Go and tell her that she made me happy—­will you?”

The little bit of happiness at which the poor fellow snatched, seemed to make him more pathetic than before.  Bernardine promised to tell his wife, and went of to find her, making as an excuse a book which Mrs. Reffold had offered to lend her.  Mrs. Reffold was in her bedroom.  She asked.  Bernardine to sit down whilst she searched for the book.  She had a very gracious manner when she chose.

“You are looking much better, Miss Holme,” she said kindly.  “I cannot help noticing your face.  It looks younger and brighter.  The bracing air has done you good.”

“Yes, I am better,” Bernardine said, rather astonished that Mrs. Reffold should have noticed her at all.  “Mr. Allitsen informs me that I shall live, but never be strong.  He settles every question of that sort to his own satisfaction, but not always to the satisfaction of other people!”

“He is a curious person,” Mrs. Reffold said smiling; “though I must say he is not quite as gruff as he used to be.  You seem to be good friends with him.”

She would have liked to say more on this subject, but experience had taught her that Bernardine was not to be trifled with.

“I don’t know about being good friends,” Bernardine said, “but I have a great sympathy for him.  I know myself what it is to be cut off from work and active life.  I have been through a misery.  But mine is nothing to his.”