I only wanted you to understand how things
were--and are."
"And I do understand--and I'm going."
Mrs. Hartwell frowned. Her face changed color.
"Come, come, Billy, this is nonsense. William wants you here. He would
never forgive me if anything I said should send you away. You must not
be angry with, him."
Billy turned now like an enraged little tigress.
"Angry with him! Why, I love him--I love them all! They are the dearest
men ever, and they've been so good to me!" The girl's voice broke a
little, then went on with a more determined ring. "Do you think I'd have
them know why I'm going?--that I'd hurt them like that? Never!"
"But, Billy, what are you going to do?"
"I don't know. I've got to plan it out. I only know now that I'm going,
sure!" And with a choking little cry Billy ran from the room.
In her own chamber a minute later the tears fell unrestrained.
"It's home--all the home there is--anywhere!" she sobbed. "But it's got
to go--it's got to go!"
CHAPTER XVII
A PINK-RIBBON TRAIL
Mrs. Stetson wore an air of unmistakable relief as she stepped into
William's sitting-room. Even her knock at the half-open door had sounded
almost triumphant.
"William, it does seem as if Fate itself had intervened to help us
out," she began delightedly. "Billy, of her own accord, came to me this
morning, and said that she wanted to go away with me for a little trip.
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