Although Anne was Grace's oldest friend, she had cheerfully resigned her claim on Grace to Emma for the week.
"Well, Gracious, how is everything ?" were Emma's first words when at last they had shut themselves in their room for the night.

"I can't begin to tell you how dreadfully I've missed you.

It gives me the blues every time I think of Overton next year without you.

But I know you are happy, and that's at least one consolation." "It's a mutual miss, Emma," assured Grace.

"I have thought of you a great deal and wished you were with me at home.