“And I do understand—and I'm going.”
Mrs. Hartwell frowned. Her face changed color.
“Come, come, Billy, this is nonsense. William wants you here. He would never forgive me if anything I said should send you away. You must not be angry with, him.”
Billy turned now like an enraged little tigress.
“Angry with him! Why, I love him—I love them all! They are the dearest men ever, and they've been so good to me!” The girl's voice broke a little, then went on with a more determined ring. “Do you think I'd have them know why I'm going?—that I'd hurt them like that? Never!”
“But, Billy, what are you going to do?”
“I don't know. I've got to plan it out. I only know now that I'm going, sure!” And with a choking little cry Billy ran from the room.
In her own chamber a minute later the tears fell unrestrained.
“It's home—all the home there is—anywhere!” she sobbed. “But it's got to go—it's got to go!”