"Well, are you glad to be home again?" said aunt Miriam, after a pause in the conversation.
"Everybody asks me that question," said Fleda, smiling.
"Perhaps for the same reason I did because they thought you didn't look very glad."
"I am glad," said Fleda, "but I believe not so glad as I was last year."
"I suppose I had a pleasanter time. I have got a little spoiled, I believe, aunt Miriam," Fleda said, with glistening eyes and an altering voice "I don't take up my old cares and duties kindly at first I shall be myself again in a few days."
Aunt Miriam looked at her with that fond, wistful, benevolent look which made Fleda turn away.
"Oh! easy living and pleasure, I suppose," Fleda said, but said with difficulty.
"Pleasure?" said aunt Miriam, putting one arm gently round her. Fleda struggled with herself.
"It is so pleasant, aunt Miriam, to forget these money cares! to lift one's eyes from the ground, and feel free to stretch out one's hand not to be obliged to think about spending sixpences, and to have one's mind at liberty for a great many things that I haven't time for here. And Hugh and aunt Lucy somehow things seem sad to me."
Nothing could be more sympathizingly kind than the way in which aunt Miriam brought Fleda closer to her side, and wrapped her in her arms.
"I am very foolish," Fleda whispered. "I am very wrong I shall get over it."
"I am afraid, dear Fleda," Mrs. Plumfield said, after a pause, "it isn't best for us always to be without sad things though I cannot bear to see your dear little face look sad but it wouldn't fit us for the work we have to do it wouldn't fit us to stand where I stand now, and look forward happily."
"Where you stand?" said Fleda, raising her head.
"Yes, and I would not be without a sorrow I have ever known. They are bitter now, when they are present but the sweet fruit comes after."
"But what do you mean by 'where you stand?' "
"You do not think so, aunt Miriam!" Fleda said, with a terrified look. "You are not worse?"
"I don't expect ever to be better," said Mrs. Plumfield, with a smile. "Nay, my love," she said, as Fleda's head went down on her bosom again "not so! I do not wish it either, Fleda. I do not expect to leave you soon, but I would not prolong the time by a day. I would not have spoken of it now if I had recollected myself; but I am so accustomed to think and speak of it, that it came out before I knew it. My darling child, it is nothing to cry for."