Nor did the latter smile or seem to proffer argument at first.
Oh, Miss Sarah had the true instincts of a big soul!
"Barbara," she answered quietly, after her formal firmness had
prevailed and the girl had seated herself, "Barbara, when I sent for
you it was not with a belief that I might influence you, for both of us
know that this is your problem alone. I merely hoped to comfort, that
was all. More than once I have been guilty of trying to manage you a
little, but you will forgive me, I know, when I tell you that I have
loved Stephen almost all his life, as though he were my own, and hoped
as long for his great happiness. On more than one occasion I contrived
situations which I thought might make your choice my happiness, too. I
know now that I was no better than any other meddling old woman, whose
efforts are well meant but dangerous for all that. And I will meddle
no more. But--but my heart aches a little, too, to-day, Barbara. May
I just talk to you?"
Barbara blinked in surprise at the subdued sadness in the older woman's
voice. But her lips remained sullen.
"There is nothing more to be said," she reiterated uncompromisingly.
"I tell you I am sure!"
And from that statement, minutes before she had thought to hear it,
Miss Sarah learned, thankfully, just how deep was the girl's
uncertainty.
"Then I need not fear that I may sway you one inch from your own way of
reasoning.
Pages:
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398