"Good-by, and thank you, Miss Merlin."
Claudia shook hands and departed. She had scarcely got beyond the threshold of the chamber door when she heard the voice of Hannah calling her back:
"Miss Merlin!"
Claudia returned.
"I beg your pardon, miss; but I hear my nephew, Ishmael Worth, is up at the house, doing something for the judge."
"He is up there," answered Claudia evasively.
"Well, do pray tell him, my dear Miss Merlin, if you please, that I want to see him as soon as he can possibly get home. Oh! I beg your pardon a thousand times for taking the liberty of asking you, miss."
"I will tell him," said Claudia, smiling and retiring.
When Miss Merlin had gone Hannah stooped and contemplated her own two children with a mother's insatiable pride and love. Suddenly she burst into penitential tears and wept.
Why?