p frown of perplexity. It would not be
fair to Anne to just run away--she'd have to give some explanation to
Miss Sabrina and Miss Milly and B'lindy, and even Webb. And just now,
in her present mood, anything but the absolute truth seemed abhorrent
to her.

Then she thought of Aunt Milly--dear little Aunt Milly. She was a
different creature now from the pale little woman Nancy had first seen
on the couch in the darkened room. Each day, when she did not go to
the orchard, she spent in the sitting room or on the hollyhock porch,
knitting and helping in little household tasks. And Nancy knew by the
wistful glance that met hers when she came and went, how Aunt Milly
hungered for her company. Nancy had told herself that it was because
she was young and that she seemed, perhaps, like what Aunt Milly had
wanted to be--before the dreadful accident.

What _would_ Aunt Milly's life be if she went suddenly out of it?

There was Davy, too, and all she had planned to start for the Club and
Nonie--

What must Nonie think? She had let a whole day go by and had not seen
Liz!

Nancy re-read her father's letter. "If you want to do things to make
this world better you can generally find them waiting for you in your
very own corner!" Funny--that Daddy should have written just that!
Nancy folded her letter with a sigh of relief. "Of course, there's
work right here and maybe--I'd be a coward to run away--just now. The
wrong was done when I came!"

The logic was youthful, but then Nancy, despite the dignity of
graduation was very youthful, too. Her mind made up she looked very
resolute. She'd go and call upon Liz that very afternoon.

However, she must know more concerning the Hopworth's before she braved
Liz on her own ground. So she sought out the all-wise B'lindy.

B'lindy was most generous with her information.

"I guess the Hopworths ain't any concern of yours, Miss Anne. The
Leavitts al'las visited mostly with good folks like the Allens and the
Chamberlains and the Fiskes over in South Hero, and the Hills up to
Isle Le Motte and the Eatons and Todds, here to Freedom. Time was when
the best come to Happy House--Miss Sabriny's mother liked company--but
not trash like the Hopworth's!"

"But _why_ are they trash, B'lindy? What do they do? Webb says
they're an old family, that they've been here as long as the Leavitts."

B'lindy snorted. "Webb's tongue's tied in the middle and wags both
ends and I guess most