The girl's anxiety and worried look caused Ann to reassure her quickly.
In describing the events of the afternoon to her mother, Mildred wept bitterly. When a grave look spread over Mrs. Vandecar's face, Katherine interposed:
"Aunty, while those children undoubtedly had bad parents, they will really amount to something, I'm sure."
It was not until she was alone with Katherine that Mrs. Vandecar opened the subject.
"I'm almost afraid I was incautious to allow a friendship to spring up between this strange child and Mildred. I wish I could see her."
"Ask her here, then. She's very pretty, very gentle, and needs young friends sadly, although the Shellingtons are treating the two children beautifully. If they don't grow up to be good, it won't be Ann's fault, nor Horace's."
"I'll invite the child to come some afternoon, then." With this decision the subject dropped.
That evening Ann went out on a charitable mission, leaving Fledra to deliver a message to Everett and to care for Floyd. The boy was in bed, his thin white hands resting wearily at his sides. For sometime he allowed his sister to work at her lessons. Then he said impetuously: