“When I woke up this morning and remembered, I felt as if I should die,” Evelyn said, in a choked voice.
“Nonsense,” said Maria. “You won't die, and it will all come out right. Don't worry anything about it or think anything more about it. Why don't you wear your red dress to school to-day? It is pleasant.”
“Well, perhaps I had better,” Evelyn said. She threw back her hair then, but still she did not look at Maria.
She arranged her hair and removed her little dressing-sack before she looked at Maria, who had seated herself in a rocking-chair beside the window. Aunt Maria always insisted upon getting breakfast without any assistance. The odor of coffee and baking muffins stole into the room. Evelyn got her red dress from the closet and put it on, still avoiding Maria's eyes. But at last she turned towards her.
“I am all ready to go down,” she said, in a weak little voice; then she gave a great start, and stared at Maria.
Maria bore the stare calmly, and rose.
“All right, dear,” she replied.
But Evelyn continued standing before her, staring incredulously. It was almost as if she doubted Maria's identity.
“Why, Maria Edgham!” she said, finally. “What is the matter?”
“What do you mean, dear?”