Page:The Semi-detached House.djvu/215

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THE SEMI-DETACHED HOUSE.
207

some people think them synonymous. But I have passed you in your walks, I have seen you at church, you have always looked happy and contented, and I thought I should like to talk to you and to know how you contrived to be so."

"There is no contrivance in it," said Janet, laughing, "Rose and I have good health and good spirits, we have plenty to do in the schools and the hospital, we have the dearest old father and mother in the world, and a comfortable home, and Charlie to play with. What more would you have, Miss Monteneros?"

"Nothing," she said sadly. "Affection, employment, and usefulness—you have, as you say, all. I envy you; you are happy, I am not."

The two sisters were excited by this style of conversation. It had never come into their mind to analyze life. They took it as it came and to them it came happily; and the idea that a young prosperous handsome woman should drop in for a morning