Page:Love's trilogy.djvu/343

 'GOD'S PEACE' 333

jam which Greta had brought her. In short she was, as she herself expressed it, treated exactly like a princess in one of the fairy tales she made herself, when I was a child. We have also visited her, and been her honoured guests.

Greta has completely won my friend who, I am sure, would have great difficulty in saying for which of us her old heart beats the warmest. It annoys and bewilders her not a little that we are not engaged, but she has evidently not yet given up all hope that this may happen. When we visit her she draws first one then the other aside, praising in extravagant words Greta to me and me to Greta.

To me her constant story is, ' Isn't she lovely ? Did he ever see such a heaven - blessed girl ? Doesn't she shine with sheer goodness of heart ? How bright her eyes are when she looks at him. It is certainly easy to see with half an eye whom she likes best.'

Yesterday she had invited us to a big coffee party. To her great soitow we told her not to invite the clergyman, so she had to restrict herself to asking only the more prominent ladies in the institution, but on the whole the party was very successful. The repast was right royal. The coffee kettle never went off the boil, and the plates with cake were refilled the moment they looked a little empty. The conversation could scarcely have been more lively, for the moment one lady finished the description of her troubles and illnesses the next one began. Towards the