“But why should I hush, mamma? and why am I never to speak about Helen? William told me the very same; and it’s too bad—as if you could not trust me!”
“What makes you think there is anything to trust you with, Hope?” said Mrs Oswald.
“Oh, I know—because you will not let me speak, and say always, hush! hush! Mother, do tell me: what is the matter with Helen?—what ails her?”
“Nothing ails her, Hope—she is perfectly well.”
Hope became very impatient.
“But you know you don’t mean that, mamma; there is something wrong; and would it not be better to tell me than to be always saying ‘hush!’”
Mrs Oswald smiled.
“It is not always so easy to tell, Hope:—for instance, why do you call me ‘mamma’ one moment, and ‘mother’ the next?”
“Oh, that is easy,” said Hope; “because the girls at school say mamma, and it sounds best there; and when I come home, William says mother, and it is home-like and—and the right word; but I forget sometimes, and mix them at first. So now, mother, if you please, tell me about Helen Buchanan.”
“You are a very pertinacious girl,” said Mrs Oswald; “but remember, Hope, if I tell you this, that you must be very prudent and sensible, and never mention it again.”