"So I say. But that Grace Hollis is a one! I wouldn't have her for my sister. Here, come in, Amy, I must just give mother the pepper."
"No, I can't do that," said Amy, uneasily, for she knew her father would be displeased if she went into a public-house; though as Florence said, "Gracious! You needn't go near the bar. It's only the back door! As if I would ask you to do anything you ought not! But I suppose our house ain't good enough for you."
"Oh! don't be angry, Florence dear, I'll come some day when I've got leave."
"Leave indeed, at your age; but you're a poor-spirited thing, Amy, to be so kept down by a couple of old aunts."
Amy was flurried at the displeasure, and wanted to make it up. "Oh! don't be offended, Florence. Look here."
"Strawberries! oh my! already! Thank you," and Florence had soon swallowed up poor little Edwin's strawberries.
"Wait here one moment then," she said, "and I'll be back with you in an instant."
Amy stood under her parasol, trying to make the most of the small shelter afforded by Mr. Cray's garden hedge, and recollecting rather uncomfortably something she had once been told about the loitering of the disobedient Prophet being what brought him into temptation. But, having promised to wait, she could not move away, though she had to stay longer than she liked, especially as the children were going by to afternoon school, and some of her own class began to stare at her.
However, at last Florence came out, quite excited. "Oh, Amy, if you'll only wait a minute, you'll see him come out."
"I can't! I can't! Let us go," cried Amy, quite shocked and shy.