"One thing at a time, Marie. I don't know that any one has despised you. You were blamed, and I think justly."
"Yes, there it is. I am always in fault, whatever happens. I did the best I knew how, and that was all I could do."
"There was the trouble, Marion. You should not have tried to do anything except just what you were told. Duncan told you expressly to watch her and call him the moment Therese showed signs of waking. Could you not have done that?"
"I thought I could manage her myself."
"But why should you wish to 'manage her' yourself? It was not your place to 'manage.' Marion dear, I do think you would feel better if you would see and own where you were in the wrong."
"Oh, of course I am in the wrong. You need not tell me that. I think I must be an absolute fool. I might be sure something would go wrong with Therese if I had anything to do with her," sobbed Marion, giving way to a fresh burst of tears. "I wish I was out of the way, I am sure."
"I would not say that if I were you," said her aunt, gravely. "If you should be wrong about that, if you should make a mistake there, it might not be so easily set right, perhaps. Moreover, Marion, I am afraid you are not speaking the truth even to yourself. It is not that you think yourself a fool, but that you think you are very superior to the people around you, and that they do not appreciate your superiority. Is not that the trouble?"
"You don't in the least understand me," said Marion, feeling more and more aggrieved.
"But now tell me, Marie, why didn't you call your uncle, as he told you?"
"I didn't notice that Therese was awake till she spoke," confessed Marion, at last.