asked Rosemary gently . `` Nothing , '' said Faith rather shortly . `` Oh ! '' Rosemary smiled . `` You mean nothing that you can tell to outsiders , do n't you ? '' Faith looked at Miss West with sudden interest . Here was a person who understood things . And how pretty she was ! How golden her hair was under her plumy hat ! How pink her cheeks were over her velvet coat ! How blue and companionable her eyes were ! Faith felt that Miss West could be a lovely friend -- if only she were a friend instead of a stranger ! `` I -- I 'm going up to tell Mrs. Blythe , '' said Faith . `` She always understands -- she never laughs at us . I always talk things over with her . It helps . '' `` Dear girlie , I 'm sorry to have to tell you that Mrs. Blythe is n't home , '' said Miss West , sympathetically . `` She went to Avonlea to-day and is n't coming back till the last of the week . '' Faith 's lip quivered . `` Then I might as well go home again , '' she said miserably .
`` I suppose so -- unless you think you could bring yourself to talk it over with me instead , '' said Miss XXXXX gently .
Avonlea Blythe Mrs. Rosemary West hair person stranger things week