VII.
Aunt Lavvy had gone. Mr. Parish had taken her away in his wagonette.
At lessons Mamma complained that you were not attending. But she was not attending herself, and when sewing time came she showed what she had been thinking about.
"What were you doing in Aunt Lavvy's room this morning?"
She looked up sharply over the socks piled before her for darning.
"Only talking."
"Was Aunt Lavvy talking to you about her opinions?"
"No, Mamma."
"Has she ever talked to you?"
"Of course not. She wouldn't if she promised not to. I don't know even now what Unitarianism is…. What do Unitarians believe in?"
"Goodness knows," her mother said. "Nothing that's any good to them, you may be sure."
Mary went on darning. The coarse wool of the socks irritated her fingers.
It caught in a split nail, setting her teeth on edge.
If you went on darning for ever—if you went on darning—Mamma would be pleased. She had not suspected anything.