Dora couldn't help smiling, though she said severely, "I don't believe you. It is because you think I am lonely by myself. I am much obliged to you, but I wish you would run after the others."
Carl coolly took possession of the work-bag. "You will have to make the best of it, for I am going home with you."
They walked on in silence for a minute; then he asked meekly, "Are you mad?"
"You know I am not."
"Then you might tell what is the matter. You don't know how much good, honest confession does one."
"Yes, I do, but I have nothing to confess. I am worried about something, but you cannot help me, and it is not worth speaking of, at any rate."
"Come home, then, and tell Aunt Zélie; she is pretty good at helping."
"I ought to know that; still I don't know what even she could do. It is not much, after all; I am just rather low in my mind, as Mrs. West says." Dora smiled with an attempt at cheerfulness not altogether successful.
"Don't fib; brace up and make a clean breast of it, and if you need advice I am full of it."
"Dear me, you are such a goose! I shall not have any peace till I tell you. Well, then, the beginning of it is that Mrs. West is going to Florida to live."