human
Sally,
gpt
Well?
human
I have heard some rumors, Sally, Mrs. Ladue went on, hesitating more than ever,
gpt
What sort of thing? Sally did not seem to care.
human
What were the rumors, mother?
gpt
Why, said her mother, with a little laugh of embarrassment,
human
No, that is not so. I have not encouraged him.
gpt
Well, is it true that he is--that he has been paying you attention for a long time?
human
I have seen him more or less, but it is nothing that I have been trying to conceal from you. What does it matter?
gpt
It matters very much, dear; oh, very much. Mrs. Ladue was silent for a moment.
human
Then I gather, she resumed in a low voice,
gpt
No, Sally replied listlessly,
human
I have not discouraged them. Assuming that they are anything more than accident, I--what do I care? It makes no difference to me.
gpt
Oh, Sally! Tears came into Mrs. Ladue's eyes.
human
You must know better than any one else whether he means anything or not; what his intentions are.
gpt
He may not have any intentions, Sally answered.
human
I don't know what he means--but that is not true; not strictly. I know what he says, but not what he thinks. I don't believe there is anybody who knows what Everett thinks. And she gave a little laugh which was almost worse than one of her smiles.
gpt
His intentions, assuming that he has any, are well enough.
human
But, Sally, she said anxiously,
gpt
Not on my part, mother, Sally replied rather wearily.
human
Now let's talk about something else.
gpt
Be patient with my questions just a little longer, said her mother gently.
human
I can't drop the subject there. Has--do you think Everett has any right to understand anything that you don't? Have you let him understand anything?
gpt
I don't know, she answered at last,
human
But, surely, you know what your answer would be, remonstrated Mrs. Ladue in a low voice.
gpt
It isn't right, Sally, to let him think one thing when you mean to do the opposite. I hope, she added, struck by a fresh doubt--a most uncomfortable doubt,
human
I don't know, Sally replied slowly,
gpt
Drifting?
human
Drifting, I suppose. It's much the easiest.
gpt
Don't, Sally! Don't, I beg of you. Your whole life's happiness depends upon it. Remember your father. Everett's principles are no better than his, I feel sure. You have been so--so sturdy, Sally. Don't spoil your life now. You will find your happiness. She was on the verge of telling her, but she checked herself in time. That was Fox's business. He might be right, after all.
human
This mood of yours will pass, and then you would wear your life out in regrets. Say that you won't do anything rash, Sally.
gpt
Don't worry, mother. It really doesn't matter, but I won't do anything rash. There! She laughed and kissed her mother.
human
I hope that satisfies you. You were getting quite excited.
gpt
You don't know what this means to me, Sally, and I can't tell you. I wish--oh, I wish that I had your chance! You may be sure that I wouldn't throw it away. You may be sure I wouldn't. She wiped her eyes and smiled up at Sally.
human
There! Now I am all right and very much ashamed of myself. Run along out, dear girl. You don't get enough of out-of-doors, Sally.
gpt
It's Fisherman's Cove, she said then quite cheerfully.
human
And I don't care when it gets dark or anything.