"We will go to-morrow, Jessie. I dare say your father will accompany you."
"But I want you also, Aunt Matty; I should have no courage if you were not there."
"I will go, of course. You must speak to Mr. Lee about it—don't forget."
"I am not likely to; I will tell him this evening. But Aunt Matty—"
"Yes. Don't hesitate so. One would think you were afraid of your old friend. Not a cross one, am I?"
That made her laugh again; but the merriment died quickly. Her sensitive heart was so sorely troubled that her usual gayety was quite gone.
"I shall never fear you; but what I meant was that I don't wish Mrs. Dennison to know that I am going."
"She is not likely to learn it from me, Jessie."
"She would laugh at me—and this is no subject nor time for a jest."
"I should think not, indeed. The woman who could make a mockery of such feelings would be a libel on her sex."