"Yes, if you like."
"May I kiss you?"
"Yes," said Phœbe, with a bright look; and she received and returned the kiss.
"This is the commencement of a happy time for you, Phœbe." She had heard from her son all the particulars of the agreement entered into by him and Miser Farebrother.
Phœbe glanced shyly at her, and thought, "Does she know about Mr. Cornwall? Does everybody know?" She answered Mrs. Pamflett's remark aloud: "I am sure it is. Oh, Mrs. Pamflett, I am happy—very, very happy!"
"I am delighted to hear you say so. Good-night again, Phœbe."
"Good-night, Mrs. Pamflett."
When she was in her father's room, with the door closed, what reason had Phœbe to suppose that Mrs. Pamflett was crouching down outside, to catch what passed between Miser Farebrother and his daughter?
"Come and sit beside me, Phœbe," said Miser Farebrother. "So—the birthday is over?"
"Nearly over, father."