"Did I speak bitterly just now; my child?" the lady asked, after a long silence. "I hope I did not frighten you."
Phebe looked up into the sad face that was beaming now with a full glory of consolation as she answered:
"O no; I was not frightened. Even in my short life I have seen sorrow, and know well what it means. Ever since we have been together I have believed that something troubled you, and it has made me—"
"Made you what, my child?"
"Made me love you, O may I do this? Will you let little Phebe creep into your heart and find a resting place there? O Mrs. Gaylord, I am so lonely! Nobody but Willie—and he is lost to me now."
The large eyes were gazing with their far-off, mysterious look, which Willie had so often watched with a tremor of apprehension in his heart; but there were no tears in them. The wail was from the secret chamber, and the lady recognized it.
"O, Mrs. Gaylord, I am so lonely."