“I should have liked to go, just to know how it would seem to be there again,” said she. But she had a stronger reason for staying than for going. She had something to say to Eunice which it would be as well to say when Fidelia was not within call.
“Well?” said Eunice, after a pause.
“Well; it isn’t so much that I am afraid you won’t like it, as that I shall hurt you.”
“But if it is to do me good, I shall not mind the hurt after a little.”
“But then I should feel dreadfully if you were to turn round and tell me I’d better mind my own business.”
“A good deal of my business is yours now, Ruby,” said Eunice, smiling still, but with a slow rising of colour to her cheeks.
“Well, I don’t know, certainly, that you will think this is; but I know that I mean you nothing but good, and her too.”
“Fidelia! Say what you have to say, Ruby.”
“Well, I will. Hasn’t it ever come into your mind that Justin Everett was letting his thoughts turn towards Fidelia?”
“Justin Everett!—Fidelia!”