The child was happier than she had believed possible, enjoying both the company and the work involved. Diana had always been mature for her age, Emmy reflected, and this suited Mrs Symons ideally. Together, the old lady and the little girl read books, played cards, and addressed envelopes when the weather was inclement. When it was fine, they embraced a number of pursuits which both enjoyed to the full. Diana grew in confidence daily and Mrs Symons made no secret of her affection for the child or of how she delighted in having a companion who shared her own interests. So, what had seemed an insolubly knotty problem had disappeared in a trice when Diana and old Mrs Symons had met. It was immediately apparent that they had taken to one another on sight and it had been they who had made all the arrangements, leaving Emmy and Miss Symons to acquiesce in their suggestions. They had agreed that Diana should go every day to the Symonses’ house in Raymond Street as soon as she had finished her breakfast.
