"I think you will find him. But what a thing for you children to do!" Celia exclaimed, "Who stayed with Belle?"
"Rosalind. Katherine was afraid."
Katherine, who lingered outside, shrunk back as he said this. Her tears began afresh. They all thought her a coward. She didn't want Miss Celia or Maurice to see her. She turned and ran away.
CHAPTER NINETEENTH.
OLD ACQUAINTANCE.
"And there begins my sadness."
Allan Whittredge, strolling up the hill toward the Gilpin place late in the afternoon, became aware of a dejected figure approaching, which presently resolved itself into Katherine Roberts, who paused every few minutes to press her handkerchief to her eyes.
"Why, Katherine, what is the trouble?" he asked, when he reached her side.
She stood still, not answering, and with her eyes covered. No one was in sight up or down the street. Allan drew her toward a convenient carriage block and, sitting beside her, asked his question again. His manner was winning, and Katherine, in great need of sympathy, sobbed, "They won't like me any more."