“Let her stay at home, then,” was John Jr.’s answer, as he led Nellie toward the supper-room, which the company were just then entering.
About an hour after supper the guests began to leave, Mrs. Livingstone being the first to propose going. As she was ascending the stairs, John Jr. observed that Mabel was with her, and turning to ’Lena, who now leaned on his arm, he said, “There goes the future Mrs. John Jr.—so mother thinks!”
“Where?” asked ’Lena, looking around.
“Why, there,” continued John, pointing toward Mabel. “Haven’t you noticed with what parental solicitude mother watches over her?”
“I saw them together,” answered ’Lena, “and I thought it very kind in my aunt, for no one else seemed to notice her, and I felt sorry for her. She is going home with us, I believe.”,
“Going home with us!” repeated John Jr. “In the name of the people, what is she going home with us for?”
“Why,” returned ’Lena, “your mother thinks the country air will do her good.”
“Un-doubtedly,” said John, with a sneer. “Mother’s motives are usually very disinterested. I wonder she don’t propose to the old captain to take up his quarters with us, so she can nurse him!”
With this state of feeling, it was hardly natural that John Jr. should be very polite toward Mabel, and when his mother asked him to help her into the carriage, he complied so ungraciously, that Mabel observed it, and looked wonderingly at her patroness for an explanation.
“Only one of his freaks, love—he’ll get over it,” said Mrs. Livingstone, while poor Mabel, sinking back amoung the cushions, wept silently, thinking that everybody hated her.