"We will go and ask her."
"Oh no, sir; she is not at home, Mr. Richmond. She has gone to New York."
"For how long?"
"Only till nine o'clock to-night."
"Then there can be no possible harm in your coming to take tea at the parsonage."
"I don't know whether she would let me," said Matilda, with an evident intimation that the doubt was barrier enough.
"You think she would not like it?"
"I think—perhaps—she would not. Thank you, Mr. Richmond!"
"But, Tilly, I want to talk to you. Have you nothing to say to me?"
"Yes, sir. A great deal," said the child, with the look of slow meditation. The minister considered her for a moment.