look as if she were interested. That was one of
her unhappy, disagreeable ways. So she sat still.

"Well," said Mrs. Medlock. "What do you
think of it?"

"Nothing," she answered. "I know nothing
about such places."

That made Mrs. Medlock laugh a short sort of
laugh.

"Eh!" she said, "but you are like an old
woman. Don't you care?"

"It doesn't matter," said Mary, "whether I
care or not."

"You are right enough there," said Mrs. Medlock.
"It doesn't. What you're to be kept at
Misselthwaite Manor for I don't know, unless because
it's the easiest way. _He's_ not going to
trouble himself about you, that's sure and certain.
He never troubles himself about no one."

She stopped herself as if she had just remembered
something in time.

"He's got a crooked back," she said. "That
set him wrong. He was a sour young man and got
no good of all his money and big place till he was
married."

Mary's eyes turned toward her in spite of her
intention not to seem to care. She had never
thought of the hunchback's being married and she
was a trifle surprised. Mrs. Medlock saw this,

[[19]]

p018 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p019w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p020

v?