Bridget pressed up a little closer to Mrs. Fairchild.

‘You’re not vexed with her then,’ she said.  ’She was quite good.  I thought at first you were going to be rather a cross mamma.’

‘Bridget,’ said Rosalys, colouring, and in an awful tone.  When Alie said ‘Bridget’ like that it meant a great deal.

‘I didn’t mean,’ began Biddy as usual.

Celestina’s mother turned to Rosalys.

‘Please do not be vexed with her, miss,’ she said, with again that winning smile.  And the smile that stole over Alie’s face in response made Mrs. Fairchild’s gaze linger on the lovely child.  ‘No, my dear,’ she went on, speaking now to Biddy, ’it was quite right of Celestina to show you the way; and I am glad you happened to meet her.’

During this time, which was really only a minute or so, for it takes much longer to relate a little scene of this kind than for it actually to pass, Mr. Fairchild had been busy with the contents of the envelope Randolph had given him.  It contained, besides a note, a list of some books which Mr. Vane wished to have sent as soon as possible.  After knitting his brows over this for some moments, the bookseller came forward.

‘I find that Mr. Vane would like this order executed at once,’ he said, addressing Randolph.

‘I don’t know, I’m sure,’ said Rough; and indeed how was he to know, seeing that the letter had only been given over to his charge by Mr. Redding?

Mr. Fairchild looked perplexed.

‘Oh,’ he said, ’I thought that possibly you could have explained a little more fully’—­then he considered again.  ’I think perhaps I could send specimens of some of the hymn-books, and I can make out a list of the prices, etc., so that Mr. Vane would have no trouble in selecting what he requires.  It will only take me a few minutes, and it would save time if——­’ he hesitated.  ’My errand-boy has gone some distance away this morning.’

’If you mean that it’ll save trouble for me to carry the parcel, I don’t mind,’ said Rough in his boyish way.

Mr. Fairchild thanked him.

‘I will see to it at once,’ he said, and turning to his desk he began writing down the details of some books which he took down from the shelves behind.

The four children, Mrs. Fairchild, and Jane Dodson stood together in the middle of the shop; it was quite small, and with these six people it seemed crowded.  There was only one chair, pushed up in a corner by the counter.

’It is draughty near the door, even when it is shut.  Will you not come farther in, Miss Vane? or,’ with a little hesitation, ’would you step into the parlour—­there is a nice fire—­and sit down for a few minutes?’ said Mrs. Fairchild to Rosalys.

Rosalys began to thank her, but before she had time to do more than begin Bridget interrupted.

‘Oh yes, Alie, please do,’ she said eagerly.  ’I do so want to see what a parlour’s like.  But, please,’ she went on to Mrs. Fairchild, ’would you first tell me what that dear little peep-hole window up in the wall is for?  I would so like to look through it.’