“Maybe she’s going to be married after Easter,” the guileless prattler continued, to make his confidence complete.
“Then you and Frank would lose her.” This was the answer which rose to Mary’s lips, partly prompted, doubtless, by her own instinctive aversion to the match.
The suggestion of another loss worked upon Joe’s susceptible feelings. Evidently he had not taken this side of the matter into consideration, and he put up one of his hands to his eyes. Fortunately the bell for the opening of the session broke in upon the conversation, and not only diverted him, but relegated the whole subject to the background for the time being. Nevertheless, the thought of it continued in Mary’s mind as she sat listening to the exercises. How could an attractive girl like this take a fancy to such a trickster? It seemed totally incompatible with the teacher’s other qualities, for in her attitude toward her pupils she appeared discerning and conscientious.
When the time came to go, Mary referred to her connection with the Settlement work in the course of the few minutes’ further conversation which they had together. Miss Burke expressed so lively an interest in this that it was agreed before they parted that the schoolmistress should pay Mary a visit some day later in the week, with the twofold object of taking tea with the two orphans and of being shown the workings of the establishment.
At this subsequent interview, the two young women chatted briskly in a cosey corner. Each found the other sympathetic, despite Mary’s secret prejudice; and it happened presently that Miss Burke, whose countenance now and again had seemed a little pensive, as though she had something on her mind, said after a pause:
“I’d like to ask your advice about something, Miss Wellington, if you don’t object.”
Mary thought she knew what was coming, surprising as it was to be consulted. She smiled encouragingly.
“It’s about a gentleman friend of mine,” continued Miss Burke, with rising color, “who wishes me to marry him. Perhaps you have heard of him,” she added with a suggestion of furtive pride. “His name is Jim Daly.”
“I know all about him.”
Miss Burke was evidently not prepared for such a sweeping answer. “You know what he did, then?” she asserted after a moment’s hesitation.