Mrs. Brace saw the light, but she had not yet forgotten the cruel reception of her advice about the gray calico.
"Good-night, Doris," she said, without entering.
But Mattie went into the room. The excuse had been a perfectly true one. Doris sat writing still, with a tired look on her face, her round, white arms on the table, and two letters by her side.
"I have finished," she said, looking at Mattie.
"What can I do for you, Doris—shall I stay and talk to you?"
"No," she interrupted; "I am tired, and I would rather be alone."
"Good-night," said Mattie, not particularly liking the rebuff.
Then Doris went to her, and clasped her arms round her sister's neck.
"Good-night, little Mattie—good, simple Mattie. Kiss me."
The brown eyes were raised slowly to her face.