“Ah!” said Nora; “but I won't be here very long.”
“Not here very long! Why, you must. What is the use of beginning school and then stopping it?”
“School or no school, my place is by father's side. It is a long, long time since we heard from Uncle George. As soon as ever he comes back I go.”
“Father has been a whole month in Ireland now,” said Molly. “I cannot imagine what he is doing. I think mother fidgets rather. She has very long letters from him, and——”
“And, do you know,” said Nora, “that father has not written to me once—no, not once since Uncle George went over? I am absolutely in the dark.”
“I wonder you stand it,” said Molly. “You are so impetuous. I cannot imagine why you don't fly back.”
“I could not,” said Nora.
“Could not? What is there to hinder you?”
“I have given my word.”
“Your word? To whom?”