"I will try," said Elizabeth, though somewhat doubtfully; "but I don't see how I am to do it."
"Put some things in a basket, and pretend they are for the Brady girls."
"I have not had anything to do with the Brady girls for ages," returned Elizabeth, with some contempt. "Not since I ran away."
"Ran away? You ran away? Ho, ho! so you're not so awfully good after all! What did you run away for?"
"I can't tell you. I can never tell you. And now I must go."
"Well, I like that," said Valentine, as he closed the door behind her; "she ran away, and isn't going to tell me about it! But I hope she will remember my dinner."
It was easy enough to remember his dinner, but not so simple a matter to secure it. Elizabeth was so absorbed in thinking it over that she forgot to eat anything herself.
"You are not eating a morsel," said Miss Herrick. "This will never do! I had hoped that going to school and companionship with other children would keep up your appetite. Don't you feel well?"
"Oh yes, Aunt Caroline, only I am not hungry. Perhaps, if you don't mind, I could have something to eat later."
It was an inspiration. In this way she could get something for Valentine. But she was doomed to disappointment.