“Well, good-bye, Mollie. We also must agree to forgive and forget!”
Mollie bent over his chair, one hand resting on each arm, the embarrassment of a moment before dying a sudden death in the face of a parting which, in the nature of things, must be for ever.
“Uncle Bernard,” she said softly, “if your Ned were alive, and you were in trouble, you would like him to hurry home to you, whatever it might cost! And if She were alive, and poor and distraught, you would rather he worked for her, than left her that he might fill the greatest post on earth. Judge us by that thought when you feel inclined to be hard! I know you don’t like kissing people, so I am going to kiss you instead. There! Good-bye; and God bless you!”
She turned away with tears in her eyes, but half-way to the door the sound of her own name made her pause.
“Mollie!” he cried, in a sharp, resolute voice, which sent her heart beating with sudden hope.
But, even as her eyes met his, his expression changed once more.
“No, no; it is better as it is! I have nothing to say!”
Mollie turned away sadly and walked out of the room.