"My cousin, Miss Rolf," dictated that young lady, "has decided that I had better remain with her until I go to Beverley." ("Oh!" ejaculated Nan.) "My aunt, Miss Rolf, has invited me to make her a long visit, and as previous to my going, there are many things to be attended to in my wardrobe, etc., my cousin Phyllis thinks it best to keep me with her. I shall, of course, see you all before I leave."
Nan's pen finally came to a stop.
"That is all," said Phyllis, placidly.
"Then I'll just send my love, I suppose," said Nan.
After a little pause Phyllis said, "Yes," and Nan went to work again. When she brought the letter to her cousin for inspection, this is how it was concluded:
"I hope you are all well, and that you'll tell Mary Seymour, when you see her, that I'll go there before I leave, and I'll write to Tommy; and tell Marian, please, I'll give her and Philip all the pea-nuts that are in my drawer, and I'll write them everything that happens at Beverley. I hope uncle's jaw is better. Your loving niece, Nan."
Phyllis Rolf read the letter with so quiet an air that for a moment Nan felt much relieved, feeling sure it was all right; but the first words startled her.
"That would not do, my dear, at all," Phyllis said, coldly. "You can not go to see this Tommy Seymour, and you had better understand at once that your aunt will not like you to write everything to your cousins here. Now, Nan, do you see what I mean?"
Nan began to see a little more clearly, yet her mind was not yet made up; still, enough of Phyllis's meaning reached her to bring two large tears to her eyes. They rolled down her cheeks, while she looked silently at Phyllis and her letter.