“I'm only a country girl. I don't know how to say it—how to tell you I'm so sorry for you!”
“That one little pat on my hand to-day, it was better than words.”
“It's all I can think about—your unhappiness.”
“That touches me because I know that you have enough sorrow of your own.”
“Sorrow!” She opened her eyes wide.
“Perhaps I have no business speaking of it,” he returned, with considerable embarrassment.
“And yet I have been so bold as to speak to you!”
There was a touch of reproach in her voice, and therefore he ventured: “Your father told me—I tried to stop him, but he went on and said—Well, I understand! But I have some consolation for you and I'm going to speak out. He says he is going to allow you to marry your young man.”
“Did he dare to talk such matters over with you?”
“He insisted on doing it—on asking my advice. So I advised in a way to help you. I am glad, for your sake, that he is coming to his senses.”