Her isolation weighed heavily upon her. If there
were but some one who could claim her services, as of right, and in
return render her the simple hum-drum affection which goes for so
much in easing the burden of life. She was weary of her solitary
heroism, though she never regarded it as heroism, but merely as the
path in which she was naturally led by her feelings. Waymark could
not but still think of her very much in the old light, and she
wished to prove to him how completely she was changed. The simple
act of making tea for him when he came to see her had been a
pleasure; it was domestic and womanly, and she had often glanced at
his face to see whether he noticed it at all. Then the fact of
Harriet's being an invalid would give her many opportunities for
showing that she could be gentle and patient and serviceable. Casti
would observe these things, and doubtless would speak of them to
Waymark. Thinking in this way, Ida became all eagerness for the new
friendship. There was of course the possibility that Harriet would
refuse to accept her offered kindness, but it seemed very unlikely,
and the disappointment would be so great that she could not bear to
dwell on the thought.
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