“I do not suppose so. I scarcely know. But her conversation always consists in comments upon other people. She has no other subject, and unfortunately she likes best the unhappy phases, something to make people exclaim. But do not let anything she may have said trouble you, Ann. Whatever of criticism or innuendo she may have given you,—let it go. She ought to be a warning to us all,—to let the doings of our neighbors alone.”
“That is so, Grandmother. We have enough to do, I guess, to look after ourselves.”
“We surely have. How would you like, Ann, to go to Florida with us?”
“O Grandmother!” Ann stopped plucking a posy and straightened up to look at Madam LeRoy with shining eyes. “Could I—without hurting anything?”
Madam LeRoy laughed. “You mean school, I presume?”
“Yes, of course, Grandmother!”
“I think that it could be managed, not to have you fall behind in your studies.”
“Study a little there, you mean?”
“Just that. Will you be thinking happy thoughts about it, Ann?” Grandmother was looking at her with eyes that were half sad, half amused. Such a combination is possible.