"And Harriet Wesden will be a lucky girl."
"Ah! that she will!"
"And—and now good night, Mattie, and the less we repeat of this gossip the better."
"Certainly—things had better take their course without our interference."
"Yes," was the dry answer.
Mattie seized her tray, and prepared to depart. At the door, with her burden en avance she paused, went back to the table, replaced her tray, and returned to Mr. Hinchford's side.
"Something happened to-night! The dear girl has been disturbed—I hope Mr. Sidney has not been in a hurry, and——"
"Hush! I don't think he's asleep. Good night—good night."
"When she was a year younger, it was hard work to keep back what was in her heart from me; but she's growing older in her ways, and better able to understand that I'm only a poor servant, after all. I don't complain," said Mattie, "she's always kind and good to me, but she's my mistress's daughter, rather than the sister—or something like the sister—that used to be. And I do so like to know everything, sir!"
"So it seems," remarked Mr. Hinchford.