“What is it?” asked Ellen.
Abby blushed. “Oh, nothing much,” she replied, in a tone unusual for her. She took her arm away from Ellen's, and laughed a little foolishly.
Ellen stared at her with grave wonder. She had not the least idea what she meant.
Abby changed the subject. “Going to the park opening to-night, Ellen?” she asked.
“No, I guess not.”
“You'd better. Do go, Ellen.”
“Yes, do go, Ellen; it will do you good,” said Maria. She looked into Ellen's face with the inexpressibly pure love of one innocent girl for another.
The park was a large grove of oaks and birch-trees which had recently been purchased by the street railway company of Rowe, and it was to be used for the free entertainment of the people, with an undercurrent of consideration for the financial profit of the company.
“I'm afraid I can't go,” said Ellen.
“Yes, you can; it will do you good; you look like a ghost this morning,” said Abby.