Mrs. Scudder’s countenance fell.
‘Where?’
‘I went to walk home with Cerinthy Twitchel, and as I was coming back he came up behind me just at Savin Rock.’
Mrs. Scudder sat down on the bed, and took her daughter’s hand.
‘I trust, my dear child,’ she said—and stopped.
‘I think I know what you are going to say, mother. It is a great joy and a great relief, but of course I shall be true to my engagement with the Doctor.’
Mrs. Scudder’s face brightened.
‘That is my own daughter! I might have known that you would do so. You would not, certainly, so cruelly disappoint a noble man that has set his whole faith on you.’
‘No, mother, I shall not disappoint him. I told James that I should be true to my word.’
‘He will probably see the justice of it,’ said Mrs. Scudder, in that easy tone with which elderly people are apt to dispose of the feelings of young persons.