Chapter 16

           IhadsoperfectlyexpectedthatthereturnofmypupilswouldbemarkedbyademonstrationthatIwasfreshlyupsetathavingtotakeintoaccountthattheyweredumbaboutmyabsence.Insteadofgailydenouncingandcaressingme,theymadenoallusiontomyhavingfailedthem,andIwasleft,forthetime,onperceivingthatshetoosaidnothing,tostudyMrs.Grose’soddface.IdidthistosuchpurposethatImadesuretheyhadinsomewaybribedhertosilence;asilencethat,however,Iwouldengagetobreakdownonthefirstprivateopportunity.Thisopportunitycamebeforetea:Isecuredfiveminuteswithherinthehousekeeper’sroom,where,inthetwilight,amidasmelloflatelybakedbread,butwiththeplaceallsweptandgarnished,Ifoundhersittinginpainedplaciditybeforethefire.SoIseeherstill,soIseeherbest:facingtheflamefromherstraightchairinthedusky,shiningroom,alargecleanimageofthe“putaway”—ofdrawersclosedandlockedandrestwithoutaremedy.

           “Oh,yes,theyaskedmetosaynothing;andtopleasethem—solongastheywerethere—ofcourseIpromised.Butwhathadhappenedtoyou?”

           “Ionlywentwithyouforthewalk,”Isaid.“Ihadthentocomebacktomeetafriend.”

           Sheshowedhersurprise.“Afriend—you?”

           “Oh,yes,Ihaveacouple!”Ilaughed.“Butdidthechildrengiveyouareason?”

           “Fornotalludingtoyourleavingus?Yes;theysaidyouwouldlikeitbetter.Doyoulikeitbetter?”

           Myfacehadmadeherrueful.