“Well, honey,” said Aunt Sophie, turning to Lilith, “at least this will give me three days more of your dear company; and who knows?—before Saturday something may happen to prevent your going at all.”
“Oh, no!” sighed Lilith “Nothing will happen. Nothing one hopes or fears ever happens.”
“Now, what was the reason why the baroness put off her voyage for only three days at such a cost as that?” inquired simple Aunt Sophie, asking a question that Lilith had longed to ask but had shrunk from putting.
“I do not know, madame. Her resolution was taken very suddenly this morning,” said the secretary, rising to take leave.
“Has the baroness any commands for me?” inquired Lilith, also rising.
“No, madame, none,” replied the secretary, bowing himself out.
“Well, of all the whims I ever heard of in my life!” exclaimed Aunt Sophie. “But, anyways, ‘it is an ill wind that blows nobody any good.’ And this here ‘whim’ has blown me the blessing of your company for three days more, honey, and something may happen.”
Lilith shook her head incredulously.
She gave all her time to Aunt Sophie that day and the next day, when the old lady said to her:
“To think, now, if it hadn’t been for the whim of the baroness you would now have been on the ocean, instead of sitting here beside me. And maybe you won’t go on Saturday, neither, who knows? Something may happen.”