"Rita,—what would you give to have your grand-dad renounce his vow some day and begin speaking to your grandmother as if nothing had ever been amiss?"
She looked at me and her lips trembled.
"Say, George! Don't fool me. I ain't myself on that subject."
"What would you give, Rita?"
"I'd give anything. I'd pretty near give my life, George; for grandmother would be happier'n an angel."
"Would you help, if some one knew a way?"
"George,—sure you ain't foolin'? True,—you ain't foolin'?"
For answer, I plunged into the scheme.
"Now,—all we require of you and your grandmother is to sit tight and neither to say nor do anything that would interfere. Leave it to—leave it to the minister. He is doing this, and he believes that it is the only way to bring your grand-dad to his senses. Mr. Auld has already tried everything else he can think of."
"It won't kill grand-dad, though?" she inquired.