The pale little dressmaker , who had hardly uttered a word since her arrival a week before , talked and laughed quite merrily and girlishly , thanking Cyrilla unreservedly for her `` jolly letter . '' Old Mr. Grant did not grumble once about the rain or the food or his rheumatism and he told Carol that she might be a good letter writer in time if she looked after her grammar more carefully -- which , from Mr. Grant , was high praise . All the others declared that they were delighted with their letters -- all except Miss Marshall . She said nothing but later on , when Cyrilla was going upstairs , she met Miss Marshall in the shadows of the second landing . `` My dear , '' said Miss Marshall gently , `` I want to thank you for your letter , I do n't think you can realize just what it has meant to me . I was so -- so lonely and tired and discouraged . It heartened me right up . I -- I know you have thought me a cross and disagreeable person . I 'm afraid I have been , too . But -- but -- I shall try to be less so in future . If I ca n't succeed all at once do n't mind me because , under it all , I shall always be your friend . And I mean to keep your letter and read it over every time I feel myself getting bitter and hard again . '' `` Dear Miss Marshall , I 'm so glad you liked it , '' said Cyrilla frankly . `` We 're all your friends and would be glad to be chummy with you . Only we thought perhaps we bothered you with our nonsense . '' `` Come and see me sometimes , '' said Miss Marshall with a smile . `` I 'll try to be ` chummy ' -- perhaps I 'm not yet too old to learn the secret of friendliness . Your letter has made me think that I have missed much in shutting all young life out from mine as I have done . I want to reform in this respect if I can . '' When Cyrilla reached the front room she found Mrs. Plunkett there .
`` I 've just dropped in , Miss Blair , '' XXXXX that worthy woman , `` to say that I dunno as I mind your making candy once in a while if you want to .
Come know laughed learn mind reached said see shutting thanking