human
You can’t have any idea of what we went through for nearly two days. They couldn’t find the brooch and Grace was arrested. She wouldn’t let Carlton do anything for her, and an old friend of papa’s went her bail. There were columns about it in the papers, and Grace’s picture and all about papa, and then all at once it proved to be a mistake. The brooch had been sent to some customer, along with several others for inspection, and there was some blunder about returning it. They sent it back finally, and Grace was cleared of all suspicion, but her life was ruined.
gpt
Ruined! Why, she was innocent.
human
O, you don’t know, Peggy. First there was Carlton, and, of course, Grace broke her engagement the instant she found he didn’t believe in her. But he wasn’t the only one. Our friends were so sorry for us, but we didn’t want them to be sorry. We wanted them to be angry and say it was an outrage, as if they meant it. They made excuses for Grace. Said she’d been used to having so much and that since papa’s death things had been so different, and they pitied mamma and me because of our disgrace. When I came here to Friendly Terrace I hated everybody in the world. I thought I never would make a friend again as long as I lived. And I’d have kept my word, I guess, if it hadn’t been for you, Peggy.
gpt
You poor darling! Peggy’s arm slipped around Elaine’s shoulder, and tightened in a comforting hug. But her thoughts were busy still with the account of the tragedy to which she had just listened.
human
How long is your sister going to stay hidden away?
gpt
As long as she lives, I guess. She doesn’t feel as if she could face people.
human
I don’t know why. It’s the ones who made the mistake who ought to hang their heads. Grace hasn’t done anything to be ashamed of.
gpt
I suppose we could have sued the firm, Elaine said wearily.
human
Mamma’s lawyer urged it. But Grace, and all of us, for that matter, felt that we’d gone through all we could bear, and that any more publicity would only make things worse. Of course Grace never left the house in daylight, but whenever mamma and I went out we were stared at as if we’d been curiosities, and we could see people talking about us, and telling the whole story over again. It was such a comfort to come here where nobody knows. At least mamma and I felt so, but poor Grace couldn’t get her courage up to let herself be seen even here.
gpt
I don’t see how she manages to keep hidden that way.
human
It isn’t as hard as you might suppose. You notice that we always keep both doors locked, and the shades are drawn a good deal. Grace helps in the housework, and comes down to her meals, just as we do. The afternoon she generally spends upstairs, especially since you girls have got in the way of dropping in after school. And she likes you, Peggy. She sits in a little room at the head of the stairs, and she can hear nearly everything that is said. It’s funny, when you didn’t even know there was such a person, but she feels real well acquainted with you.
gpt
O! cried Peggy, another mystery becoming luminous, by virtue of this explanation.
human
I wonder if it wasn’t Grace who telephoned me--
gpt
On Christmas night? Yes. We’d been talking about you all day, and saying what a dear you were, and admiring the little tree, along about bed-time, Grace said all at once, ’I never expected to wish anybody a happy new year again, but I’m going to wish one to Peggy Raymond.’ And she marched over to the telephone, while mamma and I sat there too surprised to say a word.
human
And she never goes out of doors,
gpt
Sometimes she slips out on the porch when it is very late. Amy saw her there last Halloween.
human
To be sure. I think Amy always flattered herself that she really saw a ghost that night. It occurred to Peggy as the words left her lips, that out of all of Amy’s superstitious fancies, this was nearest the truth.
gpt
I wish, she went on slowly,
human
If she knew I’d told you all this, she’d never forgive me in the wide world, declared Elaine paling at the thought.
gpt
And as for seeing you! No, Peggy! But you can’t think what a comfort it is that you know.
human
I’m glad,