"Oh, I don't know—she did not say much—only that I must be a good girl and try to make the best of it," said Beryl.
"Oh," said Mr. Hollys, and became silent.
"I am very glad it is not true," observed Beryl presently. "I could not bear to have a stepmother; I hope you will never marry again, papa."
"Why should you hope that?" he returned almost sharply. "I might marry a good woman whom you would love and who would make you happy."
"Oh, I could not be happy with a stepmother," exclaimed Beryl confidently. "They are never good. I should hate her—I know I should."
"That is a foolish notion you have picked up," said her father. "You should not speak in that positive way about things you know nothing of."
"But, papa, you are not thinking of marrying, are you?" asked Beryl, getting alarmed.
Mr. Hollys was silent for a moment or two, ere he replied to her question.
"You need not be afraid, Beryl," he said, at last, rather constrainedly. "I do not think I am likely to marry again."
Beryl was hardly satisfied with this reply; but she had not time to say more, for the carriage was drawing up at Mrs. Everard's door, and Coral woke with a start.