“She caught up her knitting, which had dropped out of her hands, gave me a sharp look through her specs, and said, in her short way⁠—

“ ‘Finish the chapter, and don’t be impertinent, miss.’ ”

“Did she own she liked it?” asked Meg.

“Oh, bless you, no! but she let old Belsham rest; and, when I ran back after my gloves this afternoon, there she was, so hard at the Vicar that she didn’t hear me laugh as I danced a jig in the hall, because of the good time coming. What a pleasant life she might have, if she only chose. I don’t envy her much, in spite of her money, for after all rich people have about as many worries as poor ones, I think,” added Jo.