“Aunt Rachel, I saw Mary Lane's mother this morning.”
“Ah?” The old lady looked up at me inquiringly.
“I don't wonder your words hurt the poor girl,” I added.
“Why? What did I say?” quickly asked Aunt Rachel.
“You said that she was a jilt.”
“But I was only jest, and she knew it. I did not really mean anything. I'm surprised that Mary should be so foolish.”
“You will not be surprised when you know all,” was my answer.
“All? What all? I'm sure I wasn't in earnest. I didn't mean to hurt the poor girl's feelings.” My aunt looked very much troubled.
“No one blames you, Aunt Rachel,” said I. “Mary knows you didn't intend wounding her.”
“But why should she take a little word go much to heart? It must have had more truth in it than I supposed.”