She was very attractive looking, that was Esther’s first thought, and her next that she had never seen any one with such a beautiful complexion.

“You’re Miss Shepstone, aren’t you?” her visitor queried in the friendliest of tones. “You see, I know quite a lot about you already. Lydia told me––Lydia’s the housemaid––you’ll like her; she’s a really nice girl. My name is June Mason––I live here, too, and I hope we will be great friends.”

There was something so breezily disarming about her that Esther held out her hand.

“You’re very kind. I hardly know what to say....”

“Don’t say anything,” Miss Mason answered airily. “I’m going to like you; I knew I should somehow when I first heard your name. I believe in that sort of thing––I don’t know if you do, but as soon as Lydia told me who it was that had taken this room I knew I should like you. I think your name is sweet––Esther! So quaint and old-world. Have you had your tea?––yes, oh, what a shame! I’ve got some ready for you in my room. Oh, I hope you don’t think it’s awful cheek,” she broke out with a sort of embarrassment. “I’ve got a sitting-room here as well as a bedroom, and I always make my own tea, it’s better than you can get downstairs. I’ve got a fire there too, and if you’re ever cold I hope you’ll come and sit with me. I’m out a good deal but you can always use my room when I’m not there, if you care to. Take off your hat and come and see it now, or are you too tired? I don’t want to worry you.”

“I’m not a bit tired,” Esther said, laughing; she felt a little bewildered by this sudden offer of friendship, but June Mason interested her, and after a moment she took off her hat obediently.

“We’ll bring the cat too,” Miss Mason said; she 45 swooped down with a quick movement and caught the cat up in her arms. “I love cats,” she said. “What’s his name?”

45

“Charlie,” said Esther shyly. “He’s very thin, but they weren’t kind to him where he belonged before....”

“What a shame! I simply loathe people who are not kind to animals. Never mind, he’ll soon get all right. Now come along––I’ll help you unpack your boxes presently.”

She led the way downstairs, and Esther followed.

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