“Because I do.”
“That is a very silly reason—and for such a clever girl to give!”
“I cannot help it; that is why I do it.”
“Then let me tell you why you do it,” said Kitty: “because you are afraid of her.”
Nan gave a sudden shrink into herself, and the little start all over her frame was not lost on Kitty, who lay so close to her.
“Nan,” said Kitty after a pause, “why are you afraid of her?”
“I did not say I was.”
“But I know it; and so does Nora.”
“You know it! Oh—oh! please—please do not know it any more.”
“I am going to tell you something. Two days ago I came into the schoolroom; it was in the dusk, before the lamps were lit. You were standing up, and Augusta was lying back in the easy-chair. Your face was turned towards the door, and Augusta’s back was to the door, but neither of you saw me; and I heard Augusta say to you, ‘If you tell you will be the biggest little fool that I ever heard of.’ Yes, Nan, those were her words; and you—you began to cry. You had been crying before, and you cried harder than ever. I slipped out of the room; but I want to know the meaning—yes, I want to know the meaning, Nancy.”