“But where are you going? What are you going to do? You are not going to be a governess again, are you?”
“I don’t know. I am not sure of anything yet, only of this—that I shall be all right, and nobody need be anxious about me.”
“But I shall be. Oh, Annie, don’t go! Let me go with you and see you safely to your aunt’s. I have some money with me—George gave me my allowance only this morning. Do let me go!”
“No, no; you must not think of such a thing,” said Annie, almost laughing.
“And you were going to leave me just like the rest, without a word about your not coming back! Oh, Annie, when we’ve been such chums!”
The boy’s reproachful face overcame Annie.
“Look here—I’ll tell you what I haven’t told anybody else, and don’t mean to tell anybody else,” said she, affectionately; and she whispered something into his ear.
“Oh, Annie!”
“Mind you are not to tell any one—ever. I have not even made you promise, you see.”
“You needn’t be afraid. Your brother-in-law is a gentleman,” said William, gravely.