Mrs Kilbannon was perhaps a little severe. "I wonder that
we have not heard of you, Miss Murchison," said she, "but
we are happy to make the acquaintance of any of my nephew's
friends. You will have heard him preach, perhaps?"
"Often," said Advena, rising. "We have no one here who
can compare with him in preaching. There was very little
reason why you should have heard of me. I am--of no
importance." She hesitated and fought for an instant with
a trembling of the lip. "But now that you have been
persuaded to be a part of our life here," she said to
Christie, "I thought I would like to come and offer you
my friendship because it is his already. I hope--so
much--that you will be happy here. It is a nice little
place. And I want you to let me help you--about your
house, and in every way that is possible. I am sure I
can be of use." She paused and looked at their still
half-hostile faces. "I hope," she faltered, "you don't
mind my--having come?"
"Not at all," said Christie, and Mrs Kilbannon added,
"I'm sure you mean it very kindly."
A flash of the comedy of it shot up in Advena's eyes.
"Yes," she said, "I do. Good-bye."
If they had followed her departure they would have been
further confounded to see her walk not quite steadily
away; shaken with fantastic laughter.
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