“There, Grace! It’s just exactly the same case. And ninety-nine out of a hundred would decide against you every time.”
Libby turned towards Grace in confusion. “Miss Breen—I didn’t understand—I don’t presume to meddle in anything—You’re not fair, Mrs. Maynard! I haven’t any opinion on the subject, Miss Breen; I haven’t, indeed!”
“Oh, you can’t back out, now!” exclaimed Mrs. Maynard joyously. “You’ve said it.”
“And you’re quite right, Mr. Libby,” said Grace haughtily. She bade him good-morning; but he followed her from the room, and left Mrs. Maynard to her triumph.
“Miss Breen—Do let me speak to you, please! Upon my word and honor, I didn’t know what she was driving at; I didn’t, indeed! It’s pretty rough on me, for I never dreamt of setting myself up as a judge of your affairs. I know you’re right, whatever you think; and I take it all back; it was got out of me by fraud, any way. And I beg your pardon for not calling you Doctor—if you want me to do it. The other comes more natural; but I wish to recognize you in the way you prefer, for I do feel most respectul—reverent—”
He was so very earnest and so really troubled, and he stumbled about so for the right word, and hit upon the wrong one with such unfailing disaster, that she must have been superhuman not to laugh. Her laughing seemed to relieve him even more than her hearty speech. “Call me how you like, Mr. Libby. I don’t insist upon anything with you; but I believe I prefer Miss Breen.”
“You’re very kind! Miss Breen it is, then. And you’ll, forgive my siding against you?” he demanded radiantly.
“Don’t speak of that again, please. I’ve nothing to forgive you.”
They walked down-stairs and out on the piazza. Barlow stood before the steps, holding by the bit a fine bay mare, who twitched her head round a little at the sound of Libby’s voice, and gave him a look. He passed without noticing the horse. “I’m glad to find Mrs. Maynard so well. With that cold of hers, hanging on so long, I didn’t know but she’d be in an awful state this morning.”
“Yes,” said Grace, “it’s a miraculous escape.”