Mary stood still and her brow became clouded. "Yes, I have much to talk to my aunt about," she said, slowly.
"You never speak to me about her, dear. I should like to know her better. She must be very fond of you."
"She likes me much better than I deserve," replied Mary, sadly. "I have been very ungrateful to her."
Mrs. White, who was too true a woman not to suffer from curiosity, after a little thought said:
"My brother tells me that Mrs. King has some rather startling political and social theories."
"She has," replied Mary, rather curtly.
A long pause followed.
"Has she succeeded in converting you to her views?" then inquired Mrs. White.
A look of distress came to Mary's face. "I don't know," she cried, in an excited, nervous way. "Don't ask me now about those things, dear Mrs. White. I am too ill to think." She passed her hand across her forehead as if to wipe away some painful vision.