Nellie was silent. Oh, what a hard struggle it was not to answer in commonplace phrase that she was glad! But her innate truthfulness refused, and she said nothing.
Arthur, noticing that Mr. Elliot seemed to have something to say to Nellie, joined his little sisters, and Wilmot went on—
"You know we were to be friends."
"I hope we shall be," she answered gently.
"Then you must be kind to me," he said.
She made no answer to this, and Netta ran up and told her it was beginning to rain.
"I have felt the drops," said Nellie. "We must hurry home."
"I must say good-bye for to-day then," said Wilmot.
"Good-bye," said Nellie, holding out her hand.
"I shall come soon," he said; "for I cannot keep away."