Then they had tea, and after tea Dr. Crofts got on his horse and rode back to Guestwick.
"Now may I talk about him?" said Lily, as soon as the door was closed behind his back.
"No; you may not."
"As if I hadn't known it all along! And wasn't it hard to bear that you should have scolded me with such pertinacious austerity, and that I wasn't to say a word in answer!"
"I don't remember the austerity," said Mrs. Dale.
"Nor yet Lily's silence," said Bell.
"But it's all settled now," said Lily, "and I'm downright happy. I never felt more satisfaction,—never, Bell!"
"Nor did I," said her mother; "I may truly say that I thank God for this good thing."