The old lady said that no great harm had been done.
“It has! It has!” Frankie cried. “You don’t know! You’ve spoiled everything!”
This the old lady didn’t believe; she asked for an explanation, and Frances would give none.
“But Grandma!” she implored, “Grandma, trust me! Believe me when I say I’ve got to go back! It’s terribly important. It means my whole life. Oh, Grandma, please, please write to Minnie and make her come home!”
“My dear child, I can’t. She wouldn’t come. And I must say I think she’s entitled to a little—— Don’t you think you’re rather selfish, Frances?”
“Oh, stop!” Frances interrupted, rudely. “You don’t understand. It’s something ... I have to see about, something important.”
“What can it be?”
The old lady was indulgent; she fancied she scented a sentimental interest.
“I can’t tell you—just now, anyway.”
Frances dried her eyes and looked at her grandmother with a new look, hard and clear.