"And now we will be old women together. Thank fortune, this scene is over. Where is your daughter-in-law?"
"Ah, she likes that conglomerate family."
"And the minister," said Mrs. Prymmer, dryly. "I suppose it's all right. Married women usen't to run about so much in my day."
"Fie upon you, let others criticise your daughter-in-law."
"You always had a free-hung tongue, Jane Gastonguay," said Mrs. Prymmer, with spirit.
"True, true, you've got the whip-hand of me now, Hippolyta. My niece is out in the carriage, she wants to see your daughter-in-law. We'll run in to the parsonage. Good-bye," and she bustled out of the house.
Derrice was sitting on the well-worn sofa in the parlour of the little house, awaiting the return of the various members of the family. So much at home was she that she had picked up a book and was quietly reading when Miss Gastonguay burst in upon her.
"How do you do, child. Why haven't you been to see me?"
Miss Gastonguay looked around as if to make sure that she would not be overheard. "You will not tell any one if I favour you with a confidence?"
"Well, you remind me of a former dear friend. I like to have you with me. Come to French Cross as often as you will, and never be frightened by my gruff ways."
"And you," said Derrice, playfully, "you also remind me of some one."
Miss Gastonguay immediately became interested in an adventurous fly who, thinking spring had come, had sallied from his retreat in the wall, and was pursuing a shaky course toward the ceiling.
"Your voice is like his," said Derrice, "particularly when you lower it. I am fortunate in having Captain White to remind me of his appearance, and you to call up his very tones."
There were tears in her eyes, and Miss Gastonguay, suddenly losing interest in the fly, gently patted her head.
"Is there not some one in the hall?" asked Derrice. "I thought I heard a step."
"No, child. You hear my niece in the kitchen talking to old black Rebecca,--tell me about this father of yours."
Derrice was only too glad to do so, and, launching herself on a full tide of happy reminiscences, she soon presented to her interested hearer an almost perfect picture of an indulgent father who had presided over her pleasant wandering life.