“I may do that. I heard that Agatha De Burg was home and I would like to warn Katherine to take care of every word she says in Agatha’s presence. She tells all she hears to that cousin of hers.”
“Have you seen De Burg lately?”
“Two or three times at Jane’s house. He seems quite at home there now. He is very handsome, and graceful, and has such fine manners.”
“Then I hev no more to say and it is too late for me to take the water way home. Will tha order me a carriage?”
Annie’s readiness to fulfill this request did not please Josepha and she stood at the window and was nearly silent until she saw a carriage stop at the hotel door. Then she said, “I think I’ll go and see if Jane hes anything like a welcome to offer me. Good-by to thee, Annie.”
“We shall see you early to-morrow, I hope, Josepha.”
“Nay, then, thou hopes for nothing of that kind but I’ll be at Jane’s sometime before I am wanted.”
“You should not say such unkind words, Josepha. You are always welcome wherever you go. In some way I have lost myself the last ten minutes. I do not feel all here.”
“Then thou hed better try and find thysen. Thou wilt need all there is of thee to bother with Antony about t’ House of Commons, and to answer civilly the crowd of strangers that will come to see thy daughter to-morrow.”
“It is neither the Bill nor the strangers that trouble me. My vexations lie nearer home.”