‘Gilbert,’ she began at length, suggestively.

He raised his eyes and regarded her in an absent way.

’I’ve been trying for a long time to remember what that child’s face reminded me of.  Every time I see her, I make sure I’ve seen someone like her before, and now I think I’ve got it.’

Gilbert was used to a stream of amusing fancifulness in his mother; analysis and resemblances were dear to her; possibly the Biblical theories which she had imbibed were in some degree answerable for the characteristic.

‘And who does she remind you of?’ he asked.

’Of somebody whose name I can’t think of.  You remember the school in Lambeth Road where Lizzie used to go?’

She referred to a time five-and-twenty years gone by, when Gilbert’s sister was a child.  He nodded.

’It was Mrs. Green’s school, you know, and soon after Lizzie began to go, there was an assistant teacher taken on.  Now can you think what her name was?  You must remember that Lizzie used to walk home along with her almost every day.  Miss—­, Miss—.  Oh, dear me, what was that name?’

Gilbert smiled and shook his head.

‘I can’t help you, mother.  I don’t even remember any such thing.’

’What a poor memory you have in ordinary things, Gilbert!  I wonder at it, with your mind for study.’

‘But what’s the connection?’

’Why, Thyrza has got her very face.  It’s just come to me.  I’m sure that was her mother.’

’But how impossible that you should have that woman’s face still in your mind!’ Gilbert protested, good-humouredly.

’My dear, don’t be so hasty.  It’s as clear to me as if Lizzie had just come in and said, “Miss Denny brought me home.”  Why, there is the name!  It fell from my tongue!  To be sure; Miss Denny!  A pale, sad-looking little thing, she was.  Often and often I’ve been at the window and seen her coming along the street hand in hand with your sister.  Now I’ll ask Thyrza if her mother’s name wasn’t Denny, and if she didn’t teach at Mrs. Green’s school.  Depend upon it, I’m right, Gilbert!’

Gilbert still smiled very incredulously.

‘It’ll be a marvellous thing if it turns out to be true,’ he said.

’Oh, but I have a wonderful memory for faces.  I always used to think there was something very good in that teacher’s look.  I don’t think I ever spoke to her, though she went backwards and forwards past our house in Brook Street for nearly two years.  Then I didn’t see her any more.  Depend upon it, she went away to be married.  Lizzie had left a little before that.  Oh yes, it explains why I seemed to know Thyrza the first time I saw her.’

Mrs. Grail was profoundly satisfied.  Again a short silence ensued.

‘How nicely they keep themselves!’ she resumed, half to herself.  ’I’m sure Lydia’s one of the most careful girls I ever knew.  But Thyrza’s my favourite.  How she enjoyed your reading, Gilbert!’