She walked abruptly away, leaving Adele weeping softly.
Chapter V
Protective Mimicry
"Attempt the end, and never stand to doubt,
Nothing's so hard but search will find it out."
—Herrick.
The next day Mr. and Mrs. Henry Raymond with Adele went home. For the first time in their lives the girls took leave of each other with coldness. The older people affected not to notice the lack of warmth in their adieus, believing that time and absence would heal the breach between them. Before their departure Mrs. Raymond had called her niece to her for a little talk.
"Bee, dear," she said, "you don't know how sorry I am for what has occurred. It was a most unfortunate mistake, but you must put all thought of it out of your mind. Be your own bright self again."
"I want to be pretty, Aunt Annie," burst from Bee, whose eyes were swollen and red from much weeping.