She thought the world delightful because she was allowed to live a healthy active life, and nobody thwarted her.

When Mrs.Rushton sent for her to the drawing-room or to her bed-room Hetty would steal in quietly, and, bringing a story-book with her, would sit down at her adopted mother's feet, and remain buried in her book till notice was given her that it was time for her to depart.

In this way she gave very little trouble, and Mrs.Rushton was more than ever convinced that she had made an excellent choice in adopting Hetty, and that she was the most satisfactory child in the world.
One day Hetty had come in from her ride, and was sitting in her own room with her story-book waiting for the usual evening summons from Mrs.
Rushton.

The days were now very short, and the little girl's head was close to the window-pane as she tried to read.

The door opened and she started up, shutting the book and preparing to go down-stairs; but there was something unusual about Polly's look and manner as she came into the room.
"Mrs.Rushton is taken very ill," she said, "and the doctor is sent for.
So you will please come down and have your tea in the drawing-room by yourself, Miss Hetty." "Is she more ill than usual?
Much more ?" asked Hetty.