“Hush! Daddy, don't interfere. I know what I'm about.”
Daniel was doubtful. If she had known she surely would not think of going. And yet, on the evening of the meeting, go she did. The meeting was a protracted one, and, on their return, Serena, finding the lower rooms apparently deserted, went upstairs. Gertrude was about to follow, but a figure stepped from the shadows of the library and detained her.
“Why, Daddy!” she exclaimed. “What are you doing up at this hour?”
“Sh-sh!” in an agitated whisper. “Don't let your mother hear you. I—I've been waitin' for you, Gertie. I just had to talk to you. Come in here.”
He led the way into the library.
“Don't say anything,” he whispered; “that is, don't say very much. Serena'll be wantin' to know where I am in a minute. Gertie, what are you up to? WHY did you go to that Chapter?”
“Hush, Daddy, hush! It is all right.”
“All right! Yes, I know it's all right so far. That's what your mother used to say, back in Trumet, when she first started in. You begin by sayin' it's all right and pretty soon it IS all right. It ain't all right for me—it's all wrong. Why did you go to that meetin'?”
“I went because I wanted to see for myself. And I saw.”
“Yes, you saw. And you heard, too, I'll bet you. Well, did you like it?”