could never use
alone, occupied her till Gregorio, very meek and polite, came with a
message that Mr. Egremont would be glad if she would come to his room.
In some dread, some distaste, and yet some pity and some honest
resolution, she made her way thither.

There he sat, in dressing-gown, smoking-cap, and blue spectacles, with
the glittering February sunshine carefully excluded. He looked worse
and more haggard than when she had seen him at dinner in the evening,
made up for company, and her compassion increased, especially as he not
only held out his hand, but seemed to expect her to kiss him, a thing
she had never done since their first recognition. It was not pleasant
in itself, but it betokened full forgiveness, and indeed he had never
spoken to her in his sneering, exasperating voice since her mournful
return home.

'Have you seen the boy?' he asked.

'Yes; they are walking him up and down under the south wall,' said
Nuttie, thankful that she had peeped under the many wraps as he was
carried across the hall.

'Here! I want you to read this letter to me. A man ought to be
indicted for writing such a hand!'

It was really distinct penmanship, though minute; but, as Nuttie found,
her father did not like to avow how little available were his eyes. He
could write better than he could read, but he kept her over his
correspondence for the rest of the morning, answering some of the
letters of condolence for him in her own name, writing those of
business, and folding and addressing what he himself contrived to
write. Her native quickness stood her in good stead, and, being rather
nervous, she took great pains, and seldom stumbled; indeed, she only
once incurred an exclamation of impatience at her stupidity or slowness.

She guessed rightly that this forbearance was owing to tender
persuasions of her mother, and did not guess that a certain fear of
herself was mingled with other motives. Her father had grown used to
woman's ministrations; he needed them for his precious little heir, and
he knew his daughter moreover for a severe judge, and did not want to
alienate her and lose her services; so they got on fairly well
together, and she shared his luncheon, during which a message came up
about the carriage; and as there had been an application for some
nursery needment, and moreover black-edged envelopes had run short,
there was just purpose enough for a drive to the little town.

Then Nuttie read her father