she could help. That's just like
mother, she's the kindest dear! I believe she sits down in her armchair
after breakfast every single morning, and plans out how many kind things
she can do during the day."

"Bless her heart!" cried Miss Everett devoutly. "Well, Rhoda, she
succeeded this time. My mother has written me all about it. It was a
dull, wet day, and Lionel seemed depressed, and there was nothing nice
in the house, and nothing nice to be bought in the little village shops,
and she was just wondering, wondering how in the world she could cheer
him, and manufacture a tempting lunch out of hopeless materials, when
tap-tap-tap came the carrier's man at the door. Then in came the
hamper, and Lionel insisted upon opening it himself, and was so
interested and excited! There were all sorts of good things in it--
game, and grapes, and lovely, lovely hot-house flowers filling up the
chinks. They were all so happy! It was such a piece of cheer arriving
in that unexpected fashion, and mother says the house is fragrant with
the scent of the flowers. Lionel arranged them himself. It kept him
quite happy and occupied. How can I thank you, dear?"

"Don't thank me. It was not my doing. It's mother."

"But how did your mother know where we lived? How did she know who we
were?"

"Well!" Rhoda smiled and flushed. "Naturally I tell her the news. I
suppose I must have mentioned that your father was Vicar of Stourley. I
don't remember; but then I've so often written about you, and she would
naturally be glad to do anything she could, for she knows you have been
kind to me, and that I'm very--fond of you!"

Miss Everett bent down quickly, and kissed her on the cheek.

"And my people knew who Mr Chester was because I've written of you, and
they know that you have been kind to _me_, and that I'm fond of you,
too. Oh Rhoda, you don't know how lonely it feels to be a teacher
sometimes, or how grateful we are to anyone who treats us as human
beings, and not as machines. You don't know how you have cheered me
many a time."

"But--but--I've been tiresome, and stupid, and rebellious. I've given
you lots of trouble--"

"Perhaps, but you have been affectionate too, and seemed to like me a
little bit, in spite of my lectures; and if it had not been for your
kind words the hamper would never have come, so I insist upon thanking
you as well as your mother. Many, many thanks, dear! I shall always
re--" She stopped s