Presently she plucked up courage to ask: 

“Are Phyllis and Nell not coming to breakfast?”

Mrs. Enderby smiled.

“No, my dear, they never breakfast here.  They breakfasted an hour ago in the school-room.  They are busy at their studies at present.”

“Are they always busy at studies?” asked Hetty.

“A great part of the day they are.”

“As all little girls ought to be who wish to be educated women some day,” said Mr. Enderby, looking over the edge of his newspaper.

“Your education has hardly begun yet I fear,” said Mrs. Enderby.

“Mrs. Rushton”—­something withheld Hetty from saying “my mamma” before Mr. and Mrs. Enderby—­“always says it is time enough for that,” said Hetty.

Mr. and Mrs. Enderby exchanged glances, and Mr. Enderby shifted in his seat and shook the newspaper impatiently.  Mrs. Enderby said: 

“What would you think of joining my girls at their lessons while you stay here?  I fear that if you do not you will find yourself very lonely.”

“I am often very lonely,” said Hetty simply; and again her host and hostess looked at each other.

“Well, which do you prefer?” said the latter; “to be very lonely going about the house and gardens by yourself, or to spend your time usefully with the other children in the school-room?”

“I would rather be with the girls, if they would like to have me,” said Hetty after a few moments’ reflection.  “But I think Phyllis would rather I stayed away.”

“Oh, I think not,” said Mrs. Enderby; “Phyllis never makes a fuss about anything, but I will answer for her that she will welcome you.”

“I think she does not like me,” said Hetty, looking steadily at her hostess with large serious eyes.

“Take care you do not dislike her,” said Mr. Enderby, with a slight look of displeasure.  “In this house we do not indulge such fancies.”

“My dear, you must not think that because our manners here in the country may be quieter and perhaps less warm than those of some of the people you have lived with abroad, our hearts are therefore cold.  Come, then, if you have finished breakfast, I will take you myself into the school-room.”

Half pleased and half unwilling Hetty suffered herself to be led away, and her heart beat fast as she crossed the school-room threshold.  Miss Davis sat at the end of the table with an open exercise book before her, and a severely businesslike look upon her face.  Phyllis and Nell bent over their books at either side of the same table.  Maps hung on the walls and books lay about everywhere.  Hetty instantly, and for the first time in her life, felt keenly that she was a dunce.

“Miss Davis, I have brought you another pupil,” said Mrs. Enderby; “I am sure you will not mind the trouble of having one more than usual for a little while.  I think Hetty will be happier for having something to do.”