"She has been treasuring a special bush for you for a week past." Mrs.Bertram looked up at her eldest daughter and smiled at her.

That smile, very much treasured by Kate, was after all but a poor attempt, gone as soon as it came.

Mrs.Bertram leant back in her chair and toyed with the dainty fruit.

Her appetite was little more than a mockery.
"It was very thoughtful of Loftus not to waken any one up to give him breakfast," said Catherine.
Her mother again glanced at her with a shadow of approval on her worn face.

Artful Kitty had made this speech on purpose; she knew that any praise of Loftus was balm to her mother.
After breakfast Mrs.Bertram showed rather unwonted interest in her daughters' plans.
"It is such a lovely day I should like you to go on the water," she said.