"What very fine work!" she said at length, watching the small,
weak-looking hands so steadily employed.
"Yes, it is a very difficult pattern. My aunt, Lady Mary, never could
manage it, and she does a great deal of crochet, and is very clever."
"It seems most complicated. I am sure I could never do it."
"Do you crochet much?"
"Not at all."
"Then," with some appearance of interest, "what _do_ you do?"
"Oh! various things; but I am afraid I am not industrious. I would
rather mend my clothes than do fancy work."
"Mend your clothes!" repeated Lady Alice, in unfeigned amazement.
"Yes. I assure you there is great pleasure in a symmetrical patch."
"But does not your maid do that?"
"Now that I have one, she does. However, you must show me how to
crochet, if you will be so kind; my only approach to fancy-work is
knitting. I can knit stockings. Isn't that an achievement?"
"But is it not tiresome?"
"Oh! I can knit like the Germans, and talk or read."
"Is it possible?" A long pause.
"Mrs. Ormonde says you are very learned and studious," said Lady Alice,
languidly.
"How cruel of her to malign me!" returned Katherine, laughing. "Learned
I certainly am not; but I am fond of indiscriminate reading, though not
studious.
Pages:
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306