“I presume you know that I am about to run away, Miss Carey,” said Dr. Knox, hastening up to join her one Sunday evening when they were coming out of church at Lefford.
“As if every one did not know that!” cried Mina. “Where’s mamma, Arnold? and Lotty?”
“They are behind, talking to the Parkers.”
The Parkers were great friends of Mina’s, so she ran back. The doctor and Janet walked slowly on.
“You will be glad to leave, sir,” said Janet, in her humble fashion. “Things have not been very comfortable for you at home—and I hear you are taking a much better post.”
“I shall be sorry to leave for one thing—that is, because I fear things may be more uncomfortable for you,” he spoke out bravely. “What Rose Villa will be when all restraint is taken from the children, and with other undesirable things, I don’t like to imagine.”
“I shall do very well,” said Janet, meekly.
“I wonder you put up with it,” he exclaimed. “You might be ten thousand times better and happier elsewhere.”
“But I fear to change: I have no one to recommend me or to look out for me, you know.”
“There’s that lady I’ve heard you speak of—your aunt, Miss Cattledon.”