"I am ready for you," she said timidly, shrinking away from him.
"Very well, bring your books," he said with, she thought, the air of a
schoolmaster toward a pupil in disgrace, and seating himself as he spoke.
She brought them, keeping her eyes cast down to hide the tell-tale tears.
She controlled her emotion in another moment, and went through the
recitations very creditably to herself.
He made no comment upon that, though usually he would have bestowed warm
praise, but simply appointed the tasks for the next day, rose and left the
room.
Zoe looked after him with a swelling heart, wiped away a tear or two, and
assuming an air of indifference, went down to the parlor to join the rest
of the family.
"Where's Ned?" asked Rosie. "You two used never to be seen apart; but of
late----"
The sentence was suddenly broken off because of a warning look from her
mamma.
"Don't you know, little girl," said Miss Deane in a soft, purring tone,
"that nobody expects married people to remain lovers always?"
"It is what they should do," Elsie said with gentle decision. "It was so
with my husband and myself, and I trust will be with all my children.
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