“Yes, dear. Mr Lee wishes it!—I didn’t like it at first; but he says it is a duty, and I will do it, whatever anybody else may say.”
She said these last words almost passionately, as she looked defiantly at Rhoda.
“And what are you going to do, Miss Pavey?”
“No, no, dear Rhoda, let it be Martha still,” pleaded the little woman.
“Well then—Martha,” said Rhoda, with a smile.
“I am going to see, and take a few comforts to poor Madge Mullion,” said the little woman, with an apologetic look; and then, after another effort, “I have been twice before. Where have you been, dear?”
Rhoda looked at her half scornfully, and the change that had come over her weak little friend struck her as being almost absurd, as, in a defiant way, she said sharply,—
“I? Where have I been? Where you are going now. I have been to see Madge Mullion and that man’s child.”
She hurried away with her hand pressed upon her heart, as the words seemed to have leaped from her lips, while she felt that if she stayed there a moment longer she would burst out into a hysterical fit of laughter; and this feeling was still upon her as she passed through the rugged streets of the little town and hastened home.