Lois looked again at Amanda, in a piteous, terrified fashion. “Oh,” said she, “you don't think I'm so very sick, do you?”
“Very sick? No; of course you ain't. Your mother got dreadful nervous because you didn't come home. That's what made her act so. You look a good deal better than you did when you first came in.”
“I feel better,” said Lois. “I never saw mother act so in my life.”
“She got all wrought up, waitin'. If I was you, I'd lay down a few minutes, jest on her account. I think it would make her feel easier.”
“Well, I will, if you think I'd better; but there ain't a mite of need of it.”
Lois laid her head down on the sofa arm.
“That's right,” said Amanda. “You can jest lay there a little while. I'm goin' out to tell your mother to make you a cup of tea. That'll set you right up.”
Amanda found Mrs. Field already making the tea. She measured it out carefully, and never looked around. Amanda stepped close to her.
“Mis' Field,” she whispered, “I hope you wa'n't hurt by what I said. I meant it for the best.”
“I sha'n't give way so again,” said Mrs. Field. Her face had a curious determined expression.