for Hetty, she was a little ashamed of
the fact, seeing that none of the rest of the family shared her feeling.
With Phyllis especially she was careful to be silent about Hetty, having
a high opinion of her sister's good sense, and being greatly afraid of
her contempt. And so it came that after a few days had passed Hetty's
name was mentioned no more in the house.

Meantime Hetty at Amber Hill was enjoying her life more than she had
ever enjoyed it before. She had her own pony, and went out to ride as
often as, and at any hour she pleased. Half-a-dozen dogs and as many
cats belonged to her, and they all loved her. Almost her entire time was
spent out of doors, for Mrs. Rushton was too great an invalid now to
care for much of her company. Grant was almost always in attendance on
her mistress, and so had very little opportunity for interference with
Hetty. Polly was easily kept in order, and the housekeeper always took
the child's part if any of the other servants annoyed or neglected her.

This wild uncontrolled life, spent chiefly in the open air, wandering
through the woods, running races with the dogs, or galloping up hill and
down hill with them all flying after the pony's heels, suited Hetty
exactly. 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?"