"Halloa!" ejaculated Edward, taken quite by surprise. "What is the
matter, dears?" inquired maternal vigilance from the other end of the
room. "You did not speak brusquely to her, Edward?"
"No, no," said Julia eagerly. "It is I that am turned so cross and so
peevish. I am quite a changed girl. Mamma, what _is_ the matter with me?"
And she laid her brow on her mother's bosom.
Mrs. Dodd caressed the lovely head soothingly with one hand, and made a
sign over it to Edward to leave them alone. She waited quietly till Julia
was composed: and then said, softly, " Come, tell me what it is: nothing
that Edward said to you; for I heard almost every word, and I was just
going to smile, or nearly, when you---- And, my love, it is not the first
time, you know. I would not tell Edward, but I have more than once seen
your eyes with tears in them."
"Have you, mamma?" said Julia, scarcely above a whisper.
"Why, you know I have. But I said to myself it was no use forcing
confidence. I thought I would be very patient, and wait till you came to
me with it; so now, what is it, my darling? Why do you speak of one thing
and think of another? and cry without any reason that your mother can
see?"
"I don't know, mamma," said Julia, hiding her head.
Pages:
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95