She wakened early the following morning. Reviewing the events of the evening before, and having now dispassionate regard to the object of her visit, she registered a vow that no provocation upon earth should induce her another time to touch upon any vexed question. The opinions of these Tallmadges were not apparently to be altered any more than her own were. If she were going to wring any concession out of them with reference to Ethan, she must walk warily, she must appeal more to their sense of justice and family feeling. She was in their power. It was theirs to dictate terms. A new situation for Sarah C. Gano, but she would make the best of it.
When she arrived at Ashburton Place before ten o'clock, Miss Hannah was just leaving the house.
"Oh!" she said, as nervous people will, as though you had pinched them.
"Good-morning!" Mrs. Gano bowed urbanely.
"Good-morning! We understood you couldn't go out before the afternoon."
"Yes, I can never count on being fit for much in the morning; but to-day I am abroad early. Shall I find the child?"
She made a motion towards the house.
"Ethan has just gone to school. Pa took him to-day."
"Oh! And you are going to walk?"