"
"Oh! You've met her too! I'm missing all the fun!"
I had a sudden inspiration--one that I was proud of. "My dear girl,"
I said, "maybe _you_ call it fun!" And I looked really agitated.
"Why, what's the matter?" she cried.
"What could you expect?" I asked. "I fear, my dear Sylvia, I've
shocked your aunt beyond all hope."
"What have you done?"
"I've talked about things I'd no business to--I've bossed the
learned doctor--and I'm sure Aunt Varina has guessed I'm not a
lady."
"Oh, tell me about it!" cried Sylvia, full of delight.
But I could not keep up the game any longer. "Not now, dear," I
said. "It's a long story, and I really am exhausted. I must go and
get some rest."
I rose, and she caught my hand, whispering: "I shall be happy, Mary!
I shall be really happy now!" And then I turned and fled, and when I
was out of sight of the doorway, I literally ran. At the other end
of the veranda I sank down upon the steps, and wept softly to
myself.
17. The launch arrived, bringing the nitrate of silver. A solution
was dropped into the baby's eyes, and then we could do nothing but
wait. I might have lain down and really tried to rest; but the maid
came again, with the announcement that Sylvia was asking for her
aunt.
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