“I asked for the introduction,” said the newcomer, whose name was Northcote, “because I wished to apologize for my carelessness.”
“Now, really,” responded Julia, “the blot did no harm.”
“But if it had gone through the cover?”
“Oh, that would have been nothing.”
“But I fear that I did more mischief than you think. There’s a little ink spot on the side breadth of your skirt, and I’m sure that it came from my pen.”
“Oh,” cried Julia, looking where Pamela pointed, “that spot may have come from my own pen; and besides, the gown has seen its best days.”
“Well, I’m very sorry,” continued Miss Northcote.
In the meantime Clarissa had risen from the low, red couch, on which they had been sitting. “You must be a New Englander.”
“I’m from Vermont.”
“I thought so,” cried Clarissa. “You have a well-developed conscience. You seem to be apologizing for something that perhaps you didn’t do.”