Rough was there too; he had not told about her being cross evidently, and Biddy felt grateful to him. It was very nice when mamma spoke like that; it reminded her of the way her hand had been pressed that afternoon. But a sudden thought rather chilled her satisfaction. Biddy was beginning to be troubled with thoughts, and thoughts too that would not be driven away and forgotten, as she had been accustomed to drive away and forget anything that made her feel at all uncomfortable. This thought teased and pricked her for a few seconds, and though she wriggled herself about and stamped her feet down with hard thumps on the gravel, it would not go. 'Biddy,' it said, 'Biddy, you know what you should do.' So that at last, in sheer impatience of its teasing, she gave her mother's sleeve a little tug. 'Mamma,' she said, 'it was _her_ that made me not stay longer than you'd said. I wanted to. I wasn't very good, but she's good.' Mrs. Vane turned with real pleasure in her face. 'I'm very glad you've told me, Biddy,' she said. 'Yes, it was nice and good of Celestina to remind you. I think she must really be a very conscientious child.' 'I don't know what that is,' said Bridget. 'At least, p'raps I do know, but it's such a trouble to think. But Celestina _is_ good. I almost think she's a little too good.' Her tone was very melancholy. Rough burst out laughing, but Mrs. Vane looked rather disappointed. 'It will be so vexing if Biddy takes a dislike to her just when I was hoping it would be a good thing,' she thought to herself. Still, the remembrance of the little talk with Mrs. Fairchild was in her mind. She took no notice of Biddy's remark, only telling her cheerfully to run in quickly and get ready for tea, as it was almost ready. The children's mother went to Seacove again the next day, but this time she did not take either of them with her. She went straight to Pier Street, and as soon as Mrs. Fairchild saw her coming into the shop she came forward with a smile and showed her into the parlour. There Celestina was sitting quietly working at some new clothes for her little dolls: she wanted them to be very smart indeed, in case the Rectory young ladies came to see them. She rose from her seat at once when Mrs. Vane came in, but a shadow of disappointment crossed her face when she saw that the lady was alone. 'I have not brought Biddy this time,' said Mrs. Vane kindly. 'I have come to see Mrs. Fairchild myself. But Biddy shall come some day soon. I want you to show her your doll-house, for I should be glad for her to get into the way of playing with one. She has always been a difficult child to amuse,' she went on; 'she is so restless, and never seems to get interested in her toys or games.' Celestina opened her lips as if she were going to speak, but said nothing. 'What is it, my dear?' said Mrs. Vane, seeing the look in the little girl's eyes. Celestina grew pink. 'It was only,' she began. 'It's not so nice to play alone.'