Waymark had
frequent opportunities of observing Miss Enderby under persecution,
and learned to recognise in her the signs of acutest misery. Many
times he left the room, rather than add to her pain by his presence;
very often it was as much as he could do to refrain from taking her
part, and defending her against Mrs. Tootle. He had never been
formally introduced to Miss Enderby, and during several weeks held
no kind of communication with her beyond a "good morning" when he
entered the room and found her there. The first quarter of a year
was drawing to a close when there occurred the first conversation
between them. Waymark had been giving some of the children their
drawing-lesson, whilst the governess taught the two youngest. The
class-time being over, the youngsters all scampered off. For a
wonder, Mrs. Tootle was not present, anti Waymark seized the
opportunity to exchange a word with the young lady.
"I fear your pupils give you dreadful trouble," he said, as he stood
by the window pointing a pencil.
She started at being spoken to.
"They are full of life," she replied, in the low sad voice which was
natural to her.
"Which would all seem to be directed towards shortening that of
others," said Waymark, with a smile.
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