"Yes, but just think how much I am losing in other ways!" said Betsy, dolefully. "If I had Stanley here to practice duets with, it would be something. I think she might have stayed."
"She couldn't stay any longer, you know. She would have lost her place in the school, and we should not like to have her do that."
"Of course not," said Betsy. "I'm not a selfish monster, I hope."
"Why, no, I hope not, certainly," said Marion, smiling. "I don't think it shows that you are one because you don't want Stannie away. I am sure I miss her enough."
"But isn't it too bad that I have to give up everything so?" said Betsy. "Come, now, Marion, do pity me a little. I'm hungry for some sympathy."
"I pity you very much," said Marion. "It is real hard to have to stop your lessons in the middle just as you are so engaged about them; but, Betsy dear, you haven't been obliged to give up everything, have you? Didn't I hear of your walking over to the run, and riding out with your father to measure the bark, and with Bram to salt the colts up on the hill lot yesterday? I should like to do some of those things pretty well, I think."
"To be sure, you poor old dear! I can run all over as well as ever, and you have to sit or lie here all day. I am a thankless old lobster," exclaimed Betsy, trying hard to find an appropriate epithet. "I ought to go blind entirely for being so unthankful. But, after all, your being laid up don't make it any easier for me, now, does it? Gerty said it ought to be enough for me that I wasn't born blind like Aunt Eugenia, but I couldn't see that her being born blind was any consolation."
"I must say I never do understand that sort of consolation," said Marion. "It makes me think of grandfather's story about the woman who lost her potatoes by the rot. When she was condoled with on the subject, she answered cheerfully,—
"'Yes, minister, but it's a great comfort that all the other folks's potatoes are much worse.'"
"Your grandfather must be lovely, I think," said Betsy. "I suppose he knows all sorts of Scotch stories. I should think you would have made him tell you hundreds of them."