"Oh no! he would not be the person to talk to her. But you need not distress yourself so much. Amy; it will not be just yet."
"I must know," said Amy. And she ran off to her mother's room; but she was stopped by Susan Reynolds, who told her that Miss Morton desired to speak to her. Amy's fears immediately conjectured the intelligence she was to receive, and her face plainly betrayed her anxiety. "Is it anything very particular?" she said, as she entered. "Is anything the matter?"
"Why should you think so?" replied Emily gently. "It is not very strange that I should like to have you with me."
"But Dora says,"—and here Amy paused, for she felt that to repeat the conversation would be to inquire into Miss Morton's plans.
"What does she say?" asked Emily. "You are not afraid of telling me anything, are you?"
"Not if it is right," replied Amy; "but I don't think I ought to say this."
"Then you shall not," said Emily. "I am sure you will judge properly; only, if it is anything that concerns me, you need hardly think that I should be vexed."
"Are you quite sure? I should be so very glad to know; but I thought it would seem impertinent."
"I will let you ask anything you like," replied Emily; "and if it is something I must not answer, I will tell you."
"You will not go away?" said Amy, timidly, and at the same time looking anxiously in Miss Morton's face.