Allison sat down at her bidding, and gave Mrs Hume’s message.
“I hope you may see him. But I have nothing to say or to send. He will be home soon. And you are glad to be going, Allison, for the sake of the child?”
“Yes, I am glad to be going.”
“But you are not sorry that you came here? You have been content?”
“No. I had to go away from home. I am not sorry I came here. Everybody at the manse has been kind.”
“And you have been good to them and to me. I am glad to have kenned you, Allison Bain,” but Mrs Beaton sighed as she said it.
What could Allison answer? Indeed, what was to be said between these two? Nothing, unless all might be said. A word might have broken the spell of silence between them, but the word was not spoken.
“It would make her unhappy to know that her secret had been told to us,” thought Mrs Beaton. And Allison thought: “His mother would be grieved, if she knew all; and she never need know. He will forget me when I am gone away.”
And so, after a few quiet words about other matters, they said “good-bye” to one another. Allison lingered a moment, looking down with wistful eyes on the gentle old face of her friend.
“Have you anything to say to me, Allison Bain?”