Page:The Semi-detached House.djvu/326

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318
THE SEMI-DETACHED HOUSE.

would marry Charles, and take little Charlie under your care, for goodness knows what will become of him if I have to go to foreign parts with John; and Willis has a great deal of good in him, if he had not got into such foolish habits of grumbling and groaning; but we think he is very much improved lately, and what is more, we think it is your doing—so there you see, my dear, everybody can be useful somehow, and now come home. How pleased Charlie will be!"

And Charlie became more than ever the charm and interest of Rachel's life. She entered warmly into the happiness of Janet and Rose, but she had little of their society. Mr. Greydon and Mr, Harcourt were always coming and going, and walking and talking, and Rachel looked on with amusement at the sight of four people foolishly and heartily in love. It was a new spectacle to her, and she thought it very entertaining, but rather incomprehensible.

However, she made herself extremely useful, especially in the matter of the trousseaux, not