Mrs.Enderby supplied her wants and then went on reading her letters; and Hetty ate in silence, wondering why she was not called on to talk and amuse these people as she had been accustomed to amuse Mrs.Rushton's fashionable friends.
This quiet wise-looking lady and gentleman seemed to look on her with quite different eyes from those with which the rest of the world regarded her.

They neither snubbed nor petted her, only seemed satisfied to allow her to be comfortable beside them.
Presently she plucked up courage to ask: "Are Phyllis and Nell not coming to breakfast ?" Mrs.Enderby smiled.
"No, my dear, they never breakfast here.

They breakfasted an hour ago in the school-room.

They are busy at their studies at present." "Are they always busy at studies ?" asked Hetty.
"A great part of the day they are." "As all little girls ought to be who wish to be educated women some day," said Mr.Enderby, looking over the edge of his newspaper.
"Your education has hardly begun yet I fear," said Mrs.Enderby.
"Mrs.Rushton"-- something withheld Hetty from saying "my mamma" before Mr.and Mrs.Enderby--"always says it is time enough for that," said Hetty.
Mr.and Mrs.Enderby exchanged glances, and Mr.Enderby shifted in his seat and shook the newspaper impatiently.

Mrs.Enderby said: "What would you think of joining my girls at their lessons while you stay here?
I fear that if you do not you will find yourself very lonely." "I am often very lonely," said Hetty simply; and again her host and hostess looked at each other.
"Well, which do you prefer ?" said the latter; "to be very lonely going about the house and gardens by yourself, or to spend your time usefully with the other children in the school-room ?" "I would rather be with the girls, if they would like to have me," said Hetty after a few moments' reflection.