It was unfortunate that Alma had not been able to establish an intimacy with Mary Abbott.  They saw each other very rarely, and, as Harvey perceived, made no progress in friendship.  This did not surprise him; they were too unlike in temper, intellect, and circumstances.  Whether to these obstacles should be added another more serious, Harvey could not quite assure himself.  He had suspected that Alma entertained a slight jealousy —­ natural, perhaps, though utterly without substantial cause.  He even reckoned with this when proposing to put the child under Mrs Abbott’s care, thinking that, in revolt against such an alternative, Alma might be impelled to take the duty upon herself.  That nothing of the kind had resulted, seemed to prove that, whatever feeling might occasionally have arisen in Alma, she did not regard his friend with any approach to hostility.  For his own part, he had always felt that the memory of Bennet Frothingham must needs forbid Mrs. Abbott to think with unrestrained kindliness of Alma, and, but for Alma herself, he would scarce have ventured to bring them together.  That they were at least on amiable terms must be held as much as could be hoped for.  With regard to Mary’s efficiency as a teacher, his opinion had grown more favourable since he had seen her in her own home.  Time and experience were moulding her, he thought, to a task undertaken first of all in a spirit of self-discipline.  She appeared to be successful in winning the confidence of parents, and she no longer complained of inability to make herself liked by her little pupils.  Best of all, she was undoubtedly devoting herself to the work with all the powers of her mind, making it the sole and sufficient purpose of her life.  Harvey felt no misgiving; he spoke his true thought when he said that he would rather trust Hughie to Mrs Abbott than to any other teacher.  It was with surprise, therefore, and some annoyance, that he received Alma’s reply to his proposal for their going over to Gunnersbury next week.

‘Are you quite sure,’ she said, rather coldly, ’that Mrs. Abbott will teach better than Pauline?’

’It isn’t only that.  Hughie must have companions.  I thought we had agreed about it.’

‘Have you inquired who his companions will be?’

‘Oh —­ the ordinary children of ordinary people,’ he replied, with some impatience.  ’I don’t know that babies are likely to corrupt each other.  But, of course, you will ask Mrs. Abbott all about that kind of thing —­ or anything else you wish.’

Alma shook her head, laughing carelessly.

’No, no.  That is all in your hands.  You have discussed it with her, haven’t you?’

’I haven’t so much as mentioned it.  But, of course, I am quite willing to relieve you of all trouble in the matter.’

His tone seemed to startle Alma, for she looked up at him quickly, and spoke in a more serious voice.

’I don’t think we quite understand each other about Hughie.  Why should you be so anxious?  He seems to me to be doing very well.  Remember, he’s only a little more than three years old —­ quite a baby, as you say.  I don’t think he would feel the want of companions for another year at least.’