Another moment and Fanny was in the narrow entrance-passage of the house, and in her mother’s arms. Mrs. Price met her with looks of true kindness, and with features which Fanny loved the more, because they brought her aunt Bertram’s before her. And there were her two sisters: Susan, a well-grown fine girl of fourteen, and Betsey, the youngest of the family, about five—both glad to see her in their way, though with no advantage of manner in receiving her. But manner Fanny did not want. Would they but love her, she should be satisfied.

She was then taken into a parlour, so small that her first conviction was of its being only a passage-room to something better. She stood for a moment expecting to be invited on. But when she saw there was no other door, and there were signs of habitation before her, she called back her thoughts, reproved herself, and grieved lest they should have been suspected.

Her mother, however, could not stay long enough to suspect anything. She was gone again to the street-door, to welcome William.

“Oh! my dear William, how glad I am to see you. But have you heard about the Thrush? She is gone out of harbour already; three days before we had any thought of it; and I do not know what I am to do about Sam’s things, they will never be ready in time; for she may have her orders to-morrow, perhaps. It takes me quite unawares. And now you must be off for Spithead too. Campbell has been here, quite in a worry about you; and now what shall we do? I thought to have had such a comfortable evening with you, and here everything comes upon me at once.”

Her son answered cheerfully, telling her that everything was always for the best; and making light of his own inconvenience in being obliged to hurry away so soon.

“To be sure, I had much rather she had stayed in harbour, that I might have sat a few hours with you in comfort; but as there is a boat ashore, I had better go off at once. Whereabouts does the Thrush lay at Spithead? But no matter; here’s Fanny in the parlour! Come, mother, you have hardly looked at your own dear Fanny yet.”

In they both came, and Mrs. Price kindly kissed her daughter again, and commented a little on her growth. She then began to fuss about them being fatigued.