"I am not nasty or spiteful, Pauline; but I do not feel inclined for this ball. I feel a headache coming on. Mr. Armstrong will take you there without me."
Pauline remains motionless, and casts an appealing look at her brother-in-law.
"Tom, go after her—see what you can do. I should only make matters worse."
After a second's hesitation, he follows Addie up the stairs, and lays his hand gently on her shoulder.
"Addie, come back; I won't go to the ball without you. Come back!"
"What nonsense! You can go very well without me. I do not care for it, I tell you."
She speaks sharply and sullenly enough; but a few hot tears trickle down her cheeks as she turns away her face from his scrutiny.
Before he knows what he is about, he takes her handkerchief, and wipes them away softly, whispering, beseechingly—
"I will do what you like, sit where you like. Come, my own dear little girl—come!"