saw her, as if they were seeing something else, and he could hardly
keep his thoughts upon her.
I forgot you, he said. How could I remember you? I intended to send
you a governess or a nurse, or someone of that sort, but I forgot.
Please, began Mary. Please and then the lump in her throat choked
her.
What do you want to say? he inquired.
I am I am too big for a nurse, said Mary. And please please don t
make me have a governess yet.
He rubbed his forehead again and stared at her.
That was what the Sowerby woman said, he muttered absent-mindedly.
Then Mary gathered a scrap of courage.
Is she is she Martha s mother? she stammered.
Yes, I think so, he replied.
She knows about children, said Mary. She has twelve. She knows.
He seemed to rouse himself.
What do you want to do?
I want to play out of doors, Mary answered, hoping that her voice did
not tremble. I never liked it in India. It makes me hungry here, and I
am getting fatter.
He was watching her.
Mrs. Sowerby said it would do you good. Perhaps it will, he said.
She thought you had better get stronger before you had a governess.
It makes me feel strong when I play and the wind comes over the moor,
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