XVII had so perfectly expected that the return of my pupils wouldbe marked by a demonstration that I was freshly upset at having totake into account that they were dumb about my absence. Instead ofgaily denouncing and caressing me, they made noallusion to myhaving failed them, and I was left, for the time, on perceivingthat she too said nothing, to study Mrs. Grose’s odd face. Idid this to such purpose that I made sure they had in some waybribed her to silence; a silence that, however, I would engage tobreak down on the first private opportunity. This opportunity camebefore tea: I secured five minutes with her in thehousekeeper’s room, where, in the twilight, amid a smell oflately baked bread, but with the place all swept and garnished,Ifound her sitting in pained placidity before the fire
