"Just as you please, only don't make yourself sick," said Mrs. Pomeroy. "I shall be glad when this affair is over, for you are all wearying yourselves out with working for it. I have seen the knitting fever run pretty high before, but I do not think it has ever prevailed to quite such an alarming extent. Even Kitty has caught it, and I have every now and then to take her work away by main force to prevent her from tiring herself out altogether."
"How is Kitty, ma'am," asked Emily, more from the necessity of saying something, than because she felt any particular interest in the answer.
"She seems very much better," replied Mrs. Pomeroy, "and I cannot help being very much encouraged. She has been out of doors to-day, and I have promised that if she is no worse for it, she shall go down town to-morrow. One of her aunts has sent her some money, and she is enjoying very much the idea of purchasing her Christmas gifts herself. Well, good night, my dear, and remember to be careful of your health."
[CHAPTER III.]
IT was only by a strong effort that Emily was able, so far, to turn her thoughts from her pecuniary embarrassments, as to allude to her lessons for the evening, and it was not till Miss Gilbert, whose turn it was to preside in the school-room, had spoken to her once or twice, that she threw off her abstraction, sufficiently to hear and answer what was said to her. After they returned to their room, Delia rallied her a little upon her absence of mind.
"Any one would think you had all the cares of the nation upon your shoulders, Emily, instead of a little bill for worsted. People Will begin to suspect something presently, if you are not more careful. When Mrs. Pomeroy spoke to the girls at the table, you started as though you had been shot, and when she stopped you coming out of the room, you turned as pale as ashes. Why cannot you learn to put a good face upon matters."
"I never before had a secret to hide, Delia," said poor Emily, sighing heavily; "and I am sure I hope I shall never have another. Oh, I do think it is dreadful to live in such constant fear of being found out."
Delia looked rather annoyed. "When you have been at school as long as I have, you will not mind it," said she. "I think it rather good fun to have a secret, but, Emily, if you are so afraid of them, I do not see—"
"Do not see what?" added Emily, as Delia came to a full stop.
"I do not see how you are to help me as you promised," returned Delia. "I expected you would be so, or I should never have begun."