"Dorothea, Dorothea!" and Hope knelt down by the couch where Dorothea had flung herself in an agony of tears,—knelt down, and putting her arms about the suffering girl begged her never for a moment to think that either she or Kate or Bessie would speak to the other girls about Mrs. Armitage's action in regard to the invitation. "No, they will never know from us, Dorothea,—never, never."
"Hope knelt down by the couch where Dorothea had flung herself"
"But—but what wi—will they think whe—when I—I don't—go to the party?" sobbed Dorothea.
"Of course they'll think there's been a falling out of some kind, and there has; but it isn't necessary that they should be told what it is, is it?"
"N—o, n—o, but it wi—will ge—get out somehow. You—you'll see, Hope, and I—I can't—I can't stay, and have them talking about my—my being left out on—on purpose li—like this."
"But even if the truth did get out, it would be a great deal worse for you to run away than to stay, for it would look—it would be—cowardly. No, no, Dorothea! you must stay, and I—I will help you all I can; I will be your friend, whatever happens, and so will Kate."