the only child of elderly parents; otherwise his mother and sister are
sure to know a great deal more about him than he knows that they know.

This was what made Jane's eyes so disturbing to William during lunch
that day. She ate quietly and competently, but all the while he was
conscious of her solemn and inscrutable gaze fixed upon him; and she
spoke not once. She could not have rendered herself more annoying,
especially as William was trying to treat her with silent scorn, for
nothing is more irksome to the muscles of the face than silent scorn,
when there is no means of showing it except by the expression. On the
other hand, Jane's inscrutability gave her no discomfort whatever. In
fact, inscrutability is about the most comfortable expression that a
person can wear, though the truth is that just now Jane was not really
inscrutable at all.

She was merely looking at William and thinking of Mr. Parcher.




IX

LITTLE SISTERS HAVE BIG EARS

The confidential talk between mother and daughter at noon was not
the last to take place that day. At nightfall--eight o'clock in this
pleasant season--Jane was saying her prayers beside her bed, while her
mother stood close by, waiting to put out the light.

"An' bless mamma and papa an'--" Jane murmured, coming to a pause.