“Nonsense! When all this blows over you will see where you have been very foolish to have worried in the least bit. You are not strong, and everything appears worse than it really is.”
“I don’t know about that, my dear. I’m not so certain, either, that my enemies are not worth worrying about.”
“Of course they’re not. Just think how all the people have honored you for what you have done for Little River. Your gifts will not be so quickly forgotten that a total 276 stranger can change the feeling of respect for you among your lifelong friends.”
“I’m aware of all that, and I appreciate it.”
“What has all this to do about Uncle Josiah’s leaving town?”
“I’m coming to that. Suppose one of those you called my lifelong friends proved to be just the opposite?”
“That can’t be true about Uncle Josiah!”
“Public expressions of gratitude can never atone for the knife which a supposedly close friend drives into one’s heart.”
Elizabeth unconsciously drew away. The movement was slight, but her father noticed it.
“Beth, Josiah has gone to the city to-night for no good purpose.”