"But I hadn't—made up my mind."
"If you had so much doubt about it, you might have done what I wanted you."
"I couldn't, Aunt Stanbury."
"You mean you wouldn't. I wonder what it is you do expect."
"I don't expect anything, Aunt Stanbury."
"No; and I don't expect anything. What an old fool I am ever to look for any comfort. Why should I think that anybody would care for me?"
"Indeed, I do care for you."
"In what sort of way do you show it? You're just like your brother Hugh. I've disgraced myself to that man,—promising what I could not perform. I declare it makes me sick when I think of it. Why did you not tell me at once?" Dorothy said nothing further, but sat with the cap on her lap. She did not dare to resume her needle, and she did not like to put the cap aside, as by doing so it would seem as though she had accepted her aunt's prohibition against her work. For half an hour she sat thus, during which time Miss Stanbury dropped asleep. She woke with a start, and began to scold again. "What's the good of sitting there all the day, with your hands before you, doing nothing?"
But Dorothy had been very busy. She had been making up her mind, and had determined to communicate her resolution to her aunt. "Dear aunt," she said, "I have been thinking of something."
"It's too late now," said Miss Stanbury.