“A—what?” Aunt Martha asked sharply.
“Institution,” babbled Jacqueline.
“Well, of all the—Whoever put such an idea into your head?”
Jacqueline came pretty near saying: “Caroline!” She remembered just in time that she was Caroline.
“Cousin Delia said it,” she faltered. “She seemed to think I’d go to an Institution—if you didn’t want me—if I was a trouble.”
“Delia Meade said that?” Aunt Martha’s voice was positively fierce.
“Um-m,” Jacqueline almost whimpered.
“Well!” said Aunt Martha. “I must say! I have my opinion.”
Evidently it was of Delia Meade that she had the opinion. From the tone of her voice Jacqueline hoped that Aunt Martha would never have that sort of opinion of her.
“I’m not a heathen, I hope!” said Aunt Martha.