Page:Margaret Sherwood--A Puritan in Bohemia.djvu/17

A Puritan Bohemia the kingdom of the ideal in clothes like that."

The girl disappeared behind the great oak door. Anne followed, pausing for a minute to bow to some one across the Square. It was a lady in widow's dress. Something in the slender, erect figure with the sweeping black robes smote the artist's heart with a sudden sense of pity.

"I wish I knew more about Mrs. Kent," she said to herself.

A polite voice interrupted her.

"If you please 'm, I've brought home your laundry, and could you pay me now?"

A child stepped forward from the stairs, watching Miss Bradford expectantly. She was an odd little creature. The business-like manner seemed strangely out of keeping with the plump cheeks and the short calico gown.

"Yes, Annabel, I am going up directly."

"There's a new young lady," whispered Annabel confidentially. "Her name's