“Why, Miss Anne!” said Royal; “is not every body under obligation to do their duty? You said just now that it was Lucy’s duty to come.”
Miss Anne did not immediately answer this question, but stood still, looking into vacancy, as if thinking; and presently a smile, of a peculiar expression, came over her face.
“What are you laughing at, Miss Anne?” said Lucy.
Miss Anne did not answer, but only smiled the more.
“Miss Anne,” said Lucy again, pulling her hand, “what are you laughing at?”
“Why, I am laughing,” continued Miss Anne, “to think how I am cornered.”
“What do you mean by cornered?” asked Lucy, looking perplexed.
“I don’t see,” continued Miss Anne, “but that I am checkmated entirely.”
“What does that mean, Miss Anne?” asked Lucy. “I don’t understand one word you say.”
“Why, I told Royal,” replied Miss Anne, “that it was your duty to have helped him, and——”