During breakfast the matter was discussed.
"You seem suddenly to have become a woman of affairs," playfully remarked Dr. Dudley.
"There isn't anybody else to do things," said Polly plaintively. "Miss Crilly wouldn't amount to anything if she went. She'd get scared first thing and make a regular fizzle of it. Mrs. Albright has pluck enough in some ways; but she couldn't be hired to see Mr. Randolph. Of course, Miss Nita'd do it all right; but she just won't! And somebody must!"
"It is full time," the Doctor agreed; "but it looks a big load for your shoulders."
"Oh, I don't mind this!" Polly said brightly. "It was hard, going to Mr. Parcell's; but this is—different, you know."
"Decidedly different."
Polly glanced up from under her eyelashes. She knew what he thought of her visit to the minister's, and now she sighed a little in remembrance of his fatherly comments.
"Of course, Mr. Randolph will be surprised—shocked, I guess; but he isn't to blame, and he's a lovely man to talk to. I think I'm going to enjoy it."
Mrs. Dudley caught the twinkle in her husband's eyes, and laughed.
"What have I said out of the way now?" Polly laid down her fork.