"
Of course we understood each other, but neither cared to speak the truth.
She had no pity, in her feeling for her own child, for the hurt I might
conceal. And I don't want her pity!
At least I shall no longer have to tear my heart out, meeting Ned in her
house.
The parting was easier than might have been expected, for we all rose to
the occasion. Uncle had been drilled over night, and his perplexity and
Aunt's preparations for leaving home amused me. The trip to Bermuda had
been proposed for my sake, Aunt had only half desired it; but now she
forgot her fears of winter storms, seasickness and shipwreck, and clutched
at the excuse to whisk Milly out of reach of Ned Hynes and out of sight of
me.
Her tone was dulcet sweet.
"We can't blame you for preferring New York, when the Van Dams are so
lovely to you," she said complacently. "But Ethel is delicate. Bermuda'll
do her a world of good; though of course it's not fashionable.'"
"I'm sure you'll have a lovely trip," I said. "You must let me help you
pack."
She was turning the house topsy-turvy in her zeal to sail by the next
boat, the very next day.
Pages:
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251