But Bess flung herself away, and rushed off, hurt and angry. Nancy felt sorrowful, fearing that she might have acted unwisely, and done harm.
When, however, she reached the end of the lane, and turned into a broader road, there stood Bess.
"I say," the strange girl burst out, "you aren't angered?"
"No," Nancy answered, with a little smile; "I'm only sorry."
"I say," repeated the other, "d'you mean to say you do just as your mother tells you?"
"I hope so," Nancy said gravely. "Why, Bess, doesn't the Bible tell us to obey our parents? And she's such a dear good mother, I couldn't bear to make her unhappy."
"Oh, well; mine's a different sort from that," said Bess.
"But if she is—if she were—that wouldn't make any difference about what's right for you," urged Nancy.
"Oh, I think it does! I've had pretty near enough of my home," said Bess recklessly. "I'll go and live with somebody else."
"O no, Bess, you won't," said Nancy seriously.