or “I did not read it,” or “I liked it,” or “I thought it stupid,” and then they turned to things which more nearly interested them, and these were things in which they themselves or some one related to them made some figure.  If any of Miss Phillips’s, or any of Dr. Grant’s relations had published a book, that would have been mentioned and extolled, but they had not.  Vivian’s scientific attainments, which Harriett had thought rather a bore at home, were however something to boast of here; and Dr. Grant had an uncle who had made some improvements in agriculture in the north of Scotland, of whom he was never tired of talking.

Miss Phillips had remained in Melbourne to be with her sister-in-law, but she was very little beside her.  Besides Dr. Grant, there were fellow-passengers who visited at the house, and whose visits Miss Phillips was bound to return, and there were also public places to go to with them; for she wished to see all that was to be seen in Melbourne while she was there; and though she generally criticised all the Melbourne concerts, and theatres, and balls, and private parties very severely, she accepted every invitation and joined every party that was made up for the theatre.

Elsie and the nurse had the care of Mrs. Phillips and the baby, though Elsie would have preferred being at Wiriwilta, with Jane and the elder children, for she missed their cheerful society, but she could not be spared.  Miss Phillips was in exceedingly good-humour at this time, and did not exact so much from Elsie as she had expected; but Mrs. Phillips missed her husband, and was rather petulant and capricious.  She had been considerably kinder to Elsie since the death of her little girl.  This first sorrow had done her good; but now, in her husband’s absence, a good deal of the old spirit returned, particularly as she was much offended at the little attention which Harriett paid to her.  Elsie was the real housekeeper, though Miss Phillips had the credit of it, and she was delighted to find how well she could manage.  Her old experiences at Cross Hall had not been altogether thrown away; she had grown more thoughtful, and she felt she must depend on herself, for there was no Jane now to fall back upon.

Elsie was apprehensive that the coolness between the sisters-in-law would lead to an open rupture, for Mrs. Phillips had not been accustomed to be considered as nobody in her own house; but there appeared hope for peace in the fact that Dr. Grant must leave Melbourne; and then those long conversations must have an end, and at least three-fourths of the rides and gaieties which served as an excuse for her neglect.  During the short absences from day to day which necessarily took place, and during the few angel’s visits, ’short, and far between,’ which were paid to her sister-in-law’s sick room, Dr. Grant’s sayings and doings, his compliments to herself, and his criticisms of other people, were the staple of Harriett’s conversation to the invalid.  If the absence of the one and the visits to the other were prolonged, it was just possible that Mrs. Phillips might be more fatigued; but she could not be so much ignored as she was at present.