"Yes, Mis' Plumfield," and the fine grey eyes fell to the floor; "but I minded it only because it had come from you. I seemed to hear you saying just that out of every bone I picked."
"You minded my message," said the other, gently.
"Well, I don't mind the things I had ought to most," said Barby, in a subdued voice "never! 'cept mother I aint very apt to forget her."
Mrs. Plumfield saw a tell-tale glittering beneath the drooping eyelid. She added no more but a sympathetic strong squeeze of the hand she held, and turned to follow Fleda who had gone on ahead.
"Mis' Plumfield," said Barby, before they had reached the stile that led into the road, where Fleda was standing, "will I be sure of having the money regular down yonder? You know, I hadn't ought to go otherways, on account of mother."
"Yes, it will be sure," said Mrs. Plumfield, "and regular;" adding quietly, "I'll make it so."
There was a bond for the whole amount in aunt Miriam's eyes; and, quite satisfied, Barby went back to the house.
"Will she expect to come to our table, aunt Miriam'? said
Fleda, when they had walked a little way.
"No, she will not expect that; but Barby will want a different kind of managing from those Irish women of yours. She wont bear to be spoken to in a way that don't suit her notions of what she thinks she deserves; and perhaps your aunt and uncle will think her notions rather high I don't know."
"There is no difficulty with aunt Lucy," said Fleda; "and I guess I can manage uncle Rolf I'll try. I like her very much."