ed the long cold walk home, and Katie liked to go.
During the summer she could not be spared often, but she went now and
then, and their friendship grew apace.

On Katie's part it was more than friendship. It was like "falling in
love." She did not say much about it, it was not her way. But she
thought of her friend's words and ways, and opinions, and seeing her
superiority to people in general, Miss Elizabeth became to her the ideal
of all womanly sweetness and excellence. Miss Elizabeth could not but
be touched and charmed by the affection which was thus rather betrayed
than expressed, and though she was sometimes amused by her devotion, it
greatly pleased her as well.

"Yours must be such a happy life, Miss Elizabeth," said Katie one night
when she was visiting her friend, and they were sitting together after
Mrs Holt had gone to bed.

Elizabeth smiled and shook her head. "Tell me what my life is like?"

There was a pause, during which Katie considered.

"You have a quiet life, and you are a comfort to your father, and
everybody loves you."

"I am afraid there are some people who do not love me much. As to my
father, yes. I shall never be quite a useless person while he needs me.
But as to my life being a happy life--"

"You have leisure," said Katie after a little, "and you take pleasure in
so many things--things going on far away, and that happened long ago.
And you care for books, and you understand people. And you believe in
great principles of action, and you are not afraid. I cannot say just
what I mean."

"But, Katie, all that is as true of you as it is of me, except perhaps
the leisure."

"I am only a child almost," said Katie, with a little rising colour.
"But when I am a woman I should like my life to be just like yours."

There was silence for a minute or two, then Katie went on:

"I once heard Mr Burnet tell my grandfather that you did more by the
real interest you take in everything that is good and right, and by your
bright, unselfish ways, to keep up a healthy, happy state of things
among the young people of the place, than even the minister's preaching.
That was in old Mr Hollister's time, however," added the truth-loving
Katie reflectively.

Miss Elizabeth smiled. "Mr Burnet is partial in his judgment."

"But you are happy, Miss Elizabeth," said Katie wistfully.

"Am I? I ought to be, I suppose; yes, I think so. I am content, and
that is better than happiness, they say."