Jane Field read the letter through twice, then she folded it, replaced it in the envelope, and stood erect by the store door. She could see Mrs. Green's broad shawled back among the customers at the calico counter. Once in a while she looked around with a beseeching and apologetic smile.
Mrs. Field thought, “I won't say a word to her about it.” However, she was conscious of no evil motive; it was simply because she was naturally secretive. She looked pale and rigid.
Mrs. Green remarked it when she finally approached with her parcel of calico.
“Why, what's the matter, Mis' Field?” she exclaimed. “You ain't sick, be you?”
“No. Why?”
“Seems to me you look dreadful pale. It was too bad to keep you standin' there so long, but I couldn't get waited on before. I think Mr. Robbins had ought to have more help. It's too much for him with only two clerks, an' the post-office to tend, too. I see you got a letter.” Mrs. Field nodded. The two women went down the steps into the street.
“How's Lois to-night?” Mrs. Green asked as they went along.
“I guess she's about as usual. She didn't say but what she was.”
“She ain't left off her school, has she?”
“No,” replied Mrs. Field, stiffly, “she ain't.”