"You will go to him!" exclaimed Violet, when she had read the letter.
"If nothing better can be done," answered Harry. "Only yesterday I made a contract for work with a hard master. It would be difficult to break it; but I will do it gladly, if there is nothing better to be done."
"You mean that you would like to have me go to Ernest," said Violet.
"Will you go?" asked Harry. "That will be the very best thing."
Aunt Martha broke in here. She had been sitting quietly at the other side of the table, as usual, apparently engrossed with her knitting.
"You do not mean to send Violet to Italy, and to take care of Ernest?" she exclaimed. "What are you thinking of? I would never consent to Violet's going alone; it would not be proper."
Violet grew crimson at the reproof. She was standing beneath the light, and turned away her head.
"Not if I were Harry's betrothed?" she asked.
Aunt Martha looked up quickly. She saw the glad, relieved expression of
Harry's face.
"If you are engaged to Harry, that is different, indeed!" she said.