Chapter LII
Ellen resolved that she would say as little as possible about the trouble at home that night. She did not wish her parents to worry over it until it was settled in one way or another.
When her mother asked what they had done about the wage-cutting, she replied that a committee had been appointed to wait on Mr. Lloyd that evening, and talk it over with him; then she said nothing more.
“He won't give in if he's like his uncle,” said Fanny.
Ellen went on eating her supper in silence. Her father glanced at her with sharp solicitude.
“Maybe he will,” said he.
“No, he won't,” returned Fanny.
Ellen was very pale and her eyes were bright. After supper she went to the window and pressed her face against the glass, shielding her eyes from the in-door light, and saw that the storm had quite ceased. The stars were shining and the white boughs of the trees lashing about in the northwest wind. She went into the entry, where she had hung her hat and coat, and began putting them on.
“Where are you going, Ellen?” asked her mother.
“Just down to Abby's a minute.”