“I know it, little sister,� said Elizabeth. “I would trust you as soon as myself. But do you not see it would be foolish to take more than were necessary into the secret?�
“Ye-es,� admitted Dolly reluctantly, and then with the old mischievous smile, she added: “Betty, was it necessary for you to know it?�
“You have a sadly undisciplined tongue, Dolly,� said Betty, coloring.
“But you do not fear to trust me,� said Dolly as they walked slowly back across the yard. Then the undisciplined tongue reasserted itself.
“Did you note the fine gallant Eunice Winter had to-day?� she asked.
“I saw there was a stranger.�
“He scarce took his eyes from a bonnet with rose-colored ribbons. And he is much finer-seeming than John Thurlow, Betty!�
“Now, Dolly, you’re going too far,� said Elizabeth sternly. “What would mother say? It is downright wicked to have such thoughts in the house of God.�
“Don’t get cross,� pleaded Dolly coaxingly. “I paid heed to the parson, and I can tell you the text. And for the other matter, time will show if I be wrong,� and with a saucy nod she broke away and joined her mother.
Time did show. Whatever might be the fault of Mistress Dolly’s tongue, her eyes were seldom mistaken. Before a week was over the strange gentleman had met Elizabeth and he soon fell into the habit of calling almost daily. His name was Henry Robbins, and he was Eunice Winter’s cousin, visiting there for a month, he said.