That insult on the miserable night had been a blow Mary could not soon forgive, for it came just at the moment when, having heard her parents' talk about Thyrza, she was sincerely anxious to reunite herself to her former friend and be what comfort to her she might.

So now, whenever Lydia went to see Mr.Boddy, she gave a private signal at the side door, and the old man descended to admit her.

Then, Totty Nancarrow.

Strangely, Lydia could now have been almost friends with Totty; she did not know why.

She met her by chance occasionally, and nodded, or at most spoke a brief greeting, yet each time she would have liked to stop and talk a little.