‘It’s no use—it doesn’t matter. I must finish the washing.... O dear!’
‘Is it paining you very much?’
‘O yes.—He looked so bad, that it scared me to see him; and I ran away, and I don’t know what I was doing.’
‘Who are you talking about?’ asked Madge, alarmed lest the girl’s fright was to have more serious consequences than she had anticipated.
‘About him—Caleb.’
Her eyes were still fixed on the window; and observing this, Madge also glanced in that direction, half expecting to see the lover outside. Seeing no one, she became more and more uneasy about Pansy’s odd behaviour.
‘He will come soon,’ she said cheeringly; ‘and I have great news for you and for him. You would never guess what it is.’
‘No; I never would guess. I am not able to try.’
‘Ah, well, you will have all the more pleasure in the surprise. I always knew your father was a sensible and just man, who would never allow any prejudice to affect his judgment of others; but he did surprise me when I spoke to him about you and Caleb. He gave me leave to tell you that he will not interfere between you. Now, is not that great news!’
Madge expected to see her flush with joy and rouse from the dazed state into which she had fallen. Instead of that, Pansy started to her feet, pale, and all consciousness of the scalded hand had evidently vanished.