MAGDALEN
59
III
A GREY head with a white morning cap, with pale-blue, kindly eyes, looked in through the door. Lucy opened her eyes.
“What, already up! Good morning! Once more welcome to our home! Through sleeping? And did you rest well? Dear child, I did not close an eye from joy of having you here,” chattered the old lady as she approached the bed.
She offered her withered hand, and Lucy was about to imprint a kiss upon it, but the old lady exclaimed loudly, “Never mind!” and stroked the girl’s forehead and luxuriant hair.
“I just wanted to ask you whether I might offer you something of my old wardrobe. Poor girl, your garments are so dreadfully
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