"
"Tempest? That's the rector here, isn't it?" asked Mrs. Hilyard, as Ann
slipped out of the room to prepare Maria for the expected "company."
Robin nodded.
"You've not met him yet?"
"I've met no one. So far, I've done nothing but wrestle with packing-cases
and the distribution of furniture"--smiling.
"It sounds pretty ghastly," averred Robin. "I say"--impulsively. "Couldn't
I--couldn't we help you at all?"
Mrs. Hilyard laughed softly. Robin thought it was one of the most
delightful sounds he had ever heard, fluent and sweet as the pipe of a
blackbird.
"Apparently you and your sister go about doing kindnesses," she said, in a
quick, touched way. "The very first thing she said to me was 'Can I help?'
And now, almost your first utterance is another offer of help! Is every one
in the neighbourhood like that? Because, if so, I think I must have come to
an enchanted village--and"--firmly--"I shall decide to remain here for the
rest of my life!"
"Well"--Robin looked embarrassed--"shifting furniture about isn't exactly a
woman's job."
"I'm not actually shifting furniture myself--except a table or chair now
and again, when no one else moves quickly enough to please me! But if you
and Miss Lovell would come over one day soon and help me to decide about
the disposition of my _lares_ and _penates_, it would be the greatest help.
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