“I suppose she was very inconsiderate.”

Miss Pringle did not in general approve of discussing things with servants.  But Nora had told her frequently how faithfully Kate looked after her and, as far as it was possible, made things bearable, so she felt she could make an exception of her.

“Inconsiderate isn’t the word, Miss.  I wouldn’t be a lady’s companion,” Kate paused, her hand on the doorknob, to make a sweeping gesture, “not for anything.  What they have to put up with!”

“Everyone isn’t like Miss Wickham,” said Miss Pringle, a trifle sharply.  “The lady I’m companion to, Mrs. Hubbard, is kindness itself.”

“That sounds like Miss Marsh coming down the stairs now,” said Kate, opening the door.  “Miss Pringle is here, Miss.”

As Kate closed the door behind her, Nora advanced to meet her friend from the doorway with her pretty smile and outstretched hand.  Miss Pringle kissed her warmly and then drew her down on a large sofa by her side.  Her glance had a certain note of disapproval as it took in her friend’s black dress, which did not escape that observant young person.

“I was so glad to hear you were coming to me this afternoon; it is good of you.  How did you escape the dragon?”

She had long ago nicknamed the excellent Mrs. Hubbard ‘the dragon’ simply to tease Miss Pringle.

“Mrs. Hubbard has gone for a drive with somebody or other and didn’t want me,” said Miss Pringle primly.  “You haven’t been crying, Nora?”

“Yes, I couldn’t help it.  My dear, it’s not unnatural.”

Miss Pringle dropped the hand she had been stroking to clasp both her own over the handle of her umbrella.  “Well, I don’t like to say anything against her now she’s dead, poor thing, but Miss Wickham was the most detestable old woman I ever met.”

“Still,” said Nora slowly, looking toward the French window which opened on the garden, at the sun streaming through the drawn blinds, “I don’t suppose one can live so long with anyone and not be a little sorry to part with them forever.  I was Miss Wickham’s companion for ten years.”

“How you stood it!  Exacting, domineering, disagreeable!”

“Yes, I suppose she was.  Because she paid me a salary, she thought I wasn’t a human being.  I certainly never knew anyone with such a bitter tongue.  At first I used to cry every night when I went to bed because of the things she said to me.  But I got used to them.”

“I wonder you didn’t leave her.  I would have.”  Miss Pringle attempting to delude herself with the idea that she was a mettlesome, high-spirited person who would stand no nonsense, was immensely diverting to Nora.  To hide an irrepressible smile, she went over to a bowl of roses which stood on one of the little tables and pretended to busy herself with their rearrangement.

“Posts as lady’s companions are not so easy to find, I fancy.  At least I remember that when I got this one I was thought to be extremely lucky not to have to wait twice as long.  I don’t imagine things have bettered much in our line, do you?”