“She will not, because”—
“And that stuff about hurting her foot was half of it made up,” said Miss Fitzwilliam; “that’s the reason I wanted to stay and help you. I found her out long before.” She gave a little triumphant cackle; “and I wanted to see her foot, if that wasn’t all a pretence, so”—
“Oh, no, it wasn’t!” said Phronsie, who couldn’t help interrupting; “because she”—
“But you wouldn’t let me stay. However, I have started the story about her, I am glad to say; I suppose she went home soon after, didn’t she?” she asked quickly, greedy for the last bit of news.
“No,” said Phronsie; “she did not.”
“That shows what kind of a girl she is!” exclaimed Miss Fitzwilliam with venom, “after worming herself in there, to hang on until you had to send her home.”
“Miss Fitzwilliam,” said Phronsie so decidedly that Miss Fitzwilliam pulled herself up at the beginning of another harangue, “don’t you understand—can’t you understand, that Grace Tupper is not that kind of a girl at all? She began this as a childish freak; she is most dreadfully sorry for it, and she would give everything—yes, the whole world,” said Phronsie, clasping her hands while her face drooped sorrowfully, “if she hadn’t done it.”
“Pshaw!” exclaimed Miss Fitzwilliam in disdain. Then she put back her head on her spare shoulders, and laughed loud and long. “Anyway, Miss Pepper, I shall do as I think best about it. And I do think best to tell this story wherever I have a good opportunity.” She set her thin lips together unpleasantly.
“In that case,” said Phronsie, rising, “I will trouble you no further. And will you be so very good, Miss Fitzwilliam, as to discontinue calling at ‘The Oaks’? Grace Tupper is our guest, our dear guest; and my sister, Mrs. King and I hope that she will stay there a long time, for we are both already very fond of her. I will bid you good-morning.”
It was impossible for Miss Fitzwilliam to get her breath to speak. Twice she essayed it, but no words came; and vexed that she had made such a terrible blunder, and with her own hand cut off visiting relations with Mrs. Jasper King and her sister, Miss Pepper, she made another effort, this time even managing a ghastly smile.