The other colored confusedly.
"I understand, of course, what you mean. And, Billy, I'll confess that
I've been sorry lots of times, since, that I spoke as I did to you,
particularly when I saw how it grieved my brother William to have you go
away. If I blundered then, I'm sorry; and perhaps I did blunder. At all
events, that is only the more reason now why I am so anxious to do what
I can to rectify that old mistake, and plead William's suit."
To Mrs. Hartwell's blank amazement, Billy laughed outright.
"'William's suit'!" she quoted merrily. "Why, Mrs. Hartwell, there isn't
any 'suit' to it. Uncle William doesn't want me to marry him!"
"Indeed he does."
Billy stopped laughing, and sat suddenly erect.
"MRS. HARTWELL!"
"Billy, is it possible that you did not know this?"
"Indeed I don't know it, and--excuse me, but I don't think you do,
either."
"But I do. I've talked with him, and he's very much in earnest," urged
Mrs. Hartwell, speaking very rapidly. "He says there's nothing in all
the world that he so desires. And, Billy, you do care for him--I know
you do!"
"Why, of course I care for him--but not--that way."
"But, Billy, think!" Mrs. Hartwell was very earnest now, and a little
frightened. She felt that she must bring Billy to terms in some way
now that William had been encouraged to put his fate to the test.
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