o reach that
height of unselfishness? But the example should not be without its
effect.

Thyrza presented herself in the parlour. The room was in some disorder;
a girl was on her knees by the fireplace, cleaning. Thyrza went down to
the little back kitchen, which was behind the room where Mr. and Mrs.
Jarmey practically lived. It was dark and cold. Mrs. Grail was making a
pudding.

'Good-morning, my dear!' she said, nodding several times. 'Better now?
I hoped you wouldn't be down yet, but I suppose you couldn't sleep for
the sunshine. I don't think you ought to sit here.'

'Oh, but I'm going to help you. Please give me something to do. Shall I
clean these knives?'

'The idea! Charlotte 'll be down to do those directly. If you really
don't find it too cold here, you may tell me something about the
concert.'

'Yes, I'll tell you, but I must work at the same time. I want to, I
_must_! Yes, I shall do the knives. Please don't be cross!'

She was bent on it; Mrs. Grail quietly acquiesced. For ten minutes
Thyrza wrought strenuously at the knife-board, speaking only a few
words. Then the girl Charlotte made her appearance.

'Now, Thyrza,' Mrs. Grail said, 'if you really want something to do,
suppose you go and dust upstairs. You haven't dusted yet, have you,
Charlotte?'

'No, mum, not yet.'

Thyrza rubbed away for a minute longer, then agreed to go up to the
lighter work. Her head had not profited by the violent exercise.

Dusting is an occupation not incompatible with reverie. How hard it was
to keep her mind from the subject which she had determined not to think
of! As often as her face turned to the sunlight, that longing came back.

Mrs. Grail joined her presently. We know that the old lady had no
fondness for domestic bustle. She sat down, and at length persuaded
Thyrza to do the same.

At half-past eleven Mrs. Grail said:

'My dear, I think you ought to go out for a little, while it's so
bright. I'm not at all sure that the sun 'll last till dinnertime; it's
getting rather uncertain. Just go into Kennington Road and back.'

Thyrza shook her head.

'Not this morning. I'm a little tired.'

'Yes, but it'll make you feel more cheerful, and you'll have an
appetite for dinner, which I'm sure you haven't had for a week and
more. How ever you live on the few mouthfuls you eat is a wonder to me.
You ought to have half an hour's walk every day, indeed you ought.'

It was sorely against her will to go forth,