‘You had met him before ——?’

‘He always comes to the Langlands’ at Christmas.’  She added in another voice, ’I was glad to hear from Hughie yesterday that all was well at home.’

They sauntered along the path.  Harvey described the walk he had had this morning.  Mrs. Abbott said that the bright day had tempted her to an unusual distance; she had come, of course, by train, and must now think of turning back towards the station.

‘Let me go so far with you,’ said Harvey.  ’What is your report of the boy?  He gives you no trouble, I hope?’

She replied in detail, with the conscientiousness which always appeared in her when speaking of her work.  It was not the tone of one who delights in teaching; there was no spontaneity, no enthusiasm; but every word gave proof of how seriously she regarded the duties she had undertaken.  And she was not without pride in her success.  The little school had grown, so that it now became a question whether she should decline pupils or engage an assistant teacher.

‘You are resolved to go on with the infantry?’ said Rolfe, smiling.

’The little ones —­ yes.  I begin to feel some confidence with them; I don’t think I’m in danger of going far wrong.  But I shouldn’t have the least faith in myself, now, with older children. —­ Of course I have Minnie Wager.  She’ll soon be eleven, you know.  I do my best with her.’

‘Mrs. Langland says you have done wonders.’

’Minnie will never learn much from books; I feel pretty sure of that.  But’ —­ she laughed —­ ’everyone has a strong point, if it can be discovered, and I really think I have found Minnie’s at last.  It was quite by chance.  The other day I was teaching my maid to make pastry, and Minnie happened to stand by.  Afterwards, she begged me to let her try her hand at it, and I did, and the result was surprising.  For the very first time she had found something that she enjoyed doing.  She went to it with zeal, and learnt in no time.  Since then she has made tarts, and puddings, and cake ——­’

Harvey broke into laughter.  It was an odd thing that the employment he had suggested for this girl, in his talk at Greystone, should prove to be her genuine vocation.

‘Don’t you think it’s as well to encourage her?’ said Mrs. Abbott.

’By all manner of means!  I think it’s a magnificent discovery.  I should give her the utmost encouragement.  Let her learn cookery in all its branches, steadily and seriously.’

’It may solve the problem of her future.  She might get employment in one of the schools of cookery.’

‘Never again be uneasy about her,’ cried Rolfe delightedly.  ’She is provided for.  She will grow old with honour, love, obedience, troops of friends! —­ A culinary genius!  Why, it’s the one thing the world is groaning and clamouring for.  Let her burn her school-books.  Sacrifice everything to her Art. —­ You have rejoiced me with this news.’