"He was at our house this afternoon. I must say good-evening now, Louisa. I am in a hurry; I am doing some errands for Grannie."
"Oh, I don't mind walking a bit o' the way with you. You are going shopping, is it?"
"Well, yes; Christmas is near, you know."
Alison felt herself shrinking more and more from Louisa. She hated her to walk by her side. It irritated her beyond words to hear her speak of Jim. She dreaded more than she could tell Louisa finding out how poor they were; nothing would induce her to get the bargain raisins or any of the other cheap things in her presence.
"I am rather in a hurry," she said; "perhaps you won't care to go so fast."
"As it happens, I have nothing special to do. I'll go with you now, or I'll call in by and by and have a chat. I don't know that old Grannie of yours, but folks say she's quite a character. Jim said so last night when he was supping at our house."
"I am sure he didn't," muttered Alison under her breath angrily; but she refrained from making any comment aloud.
"Well," said Louisa, "you'd like to know what sort of girl is coming to Shaw's to take up your work?"
"I don't think I would," replied Alison; "I am really not interested."
"I wonder you care to tell such lies, Alison Reed! Anyone can tell by your face that you are just burning with curiosity and jealousy."