"What is the matter, Miss Lucy?"' said he, anxiously.
"Oh, nothing, Mr. Dodd;" and they flowed afresh.
"Can I do anything for you, Miss Lucy?"
"No, Mr. Dodd."
"Won't you tell me what is the matter? Are you not friends with me
to-day?"
"I was put out by a very foolish circumstance, Mr. Dodd, and it is one
with which I shall not trouble you, nor any person of sense. I prefer
to retain your sympathy by not revealing the contemptible cause of my
babyish-- There!" She shook her head proudly, as if tears were to be
dispersed like dewdrops. "There!" she repeated; and at this second
effort she smiled radiantly.
"It is like the sun coming out after a shower," cried David
rapturously.
"That reminds me I must be _going_ in, Mr. Dodd."
"Don't say that, Miss Lucy. What for?"
"To arrange another shower, one of pearls, on a dress I am to wear
to-night."
David sighed. "Ah! Miss Lucy, at sight of me you always make for the
hall door."
Lucy colored. "Oh, do I? I really was not aware of that. Then I
suppose I am afraid of you. Is that what you would insinuate? "'
"No, Miss Lucy, you are not afraid of me; but I sometimes fear--" and
he hesitated.
"It must blow very hard that day," said Lucy, with a world of
politeness. Her tongue was too quick for him. He found it so, and
announced the fact after his fashion. "I can't tack fast enough to
follow you," said he despondently.
"But you are not required to follow me," replied this amiable eel,
with hypocritical benignity; "I am going to my aunt's room to do what
I told you.
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