I am proud of it all.

If nobody comes to see us, and we are left all alone out in the cold, I shall still have room enough to be proud in--proud of the old house and our few bits of pictures, and the family papers, and the beeches! How absurd it would seem to other people, who have so much more! But I have had so little--so _little_!" Her voice had a hungry lingering note.

"And as for the people, yes, I am proud too that they like me, and that already I can influence them.

Oh, I will do my best for them, my _very best_! But it will be hard, very hard, if there is no one to help me!" She heaved a long sigh.

In spite of the words, what she had said did not seem to be an appeal for his pity.