But, of course, she did not really mean that kind Elisabeth was horrid; and in three minutes she was back again by her side, putting endless questions.
In time the walk ended. They reached home punctually at one, and early dinner followed. Both aunts were smiling; and Hecla felt sure that the coming news must be good news. She was in such haste to be told, that she tried to get rid of her helping in a terrific hurry, and drew on herself more than one rebuke.
"My dear Hecla, you will certainly choke yourself," Miss Storey said seriously. "That is not the way to eat. Look at Aunt Anne and me. Do we stuff our food down in that fashion?"
Hecla was obliged to confess that they did not, as she watched the tiny morsels which were delicately inserted, one by one, between Miss Storey's lips.
"But I'm in such a dreadful hurry to-day, auntie."
Aunt Anne looked pleadingly at Aunt Millicent, and the latter said nothing. Hecla tried to copy Miss Storey's mode of eating; and so pleased was Miss Storey to see this that, when the meat went away, she observed—
"You have been a good girl this morning, and you shall not wait any longer."
And then the news was told.
Hecla listened with fixed eyes of amazement, hardly able to believe what she heard. She kept breaking in with questions, interrupting explanations, and repeating the words uttered, as if they conveyed no meaning to her mind. It was not that she was actually stupid, as a listener might have imagined, but that her own thoughts were racing at such a pace as to make it impossible for her to take in half of what was spoken. Naturally she became puzzled.
"A real little girl! Coming here! Coming to live! Truly, auntie! A real, live, little girl!"