pt
that a little strip of white collar around the throat somewhat alleviated
its dense gloom. Was it Amy's fancy merely that the little line of white
was symbolical, and that she saw a more human light in her aunt's eyes
and upon her face?

"Well?" said Amy again, after another pause.

The solemn woman did not immediately answer, but went on sewing, and
rocking her body as she did so. Amy waited patiently until her aunt
should choose to answer. She waited the more patiently because she was
telling herself who it was that had brought that softer light into the
face, if, indeed, it were really there. She was thinking why he had been
curious to know the reason that she had come into that room. She was
remembering a hundred little incidents which had revealed his constant
interest in all her comings, and goings, and doings; and therefore she
started when Aunt Martha, still rocking and sewing, said, quietly,

"Why did Lawrence Newt care what brought you here?"

"I'm sure I don't know, Aunt Martha."

Miss Amy looked as indifferent as she could, knowing that her companion
was studying her face. And it was a study that companion relentlessly
pursued, until Amy remarked that Lawrence Newt was such a generous
gentleman that he could get wind of no distress but he instantly looked
to see if he could relieve it.

Finding the theme fertile, Amy Waring, looking, with tender eyes at her
relative, continued.

And yet with all the freedom with which she told the story of Lawrence
Newt's large heart, there was an unusual softness and shyness in her
appearance. The blithe glance was more drooping. The clear, ringing voice
was lower. The words that generally fell with such a neat, crisp
articulation from her lips now lingered upon them as if they were somehow
honeyed, and so flowed more smoothly and more slowly. She told of her
first encounter with Mr. Newt at the Widow Simmers's--she told of all
that she had heard from her cousin, Gabriel Bennet.

"Indeed, Aunt Martha, I should like to have every body think of me as
kindly as he thinks of every body."

She had been speaking for some time. When she stopped, Aunt Martha said,
quietly,

"But, Amy, although you have told me how charitable he is, you have not
told me why he wanted to come here because he saw you at the window."

"I suppose," replied Amy, "it was because he thought there must be
somebody to relieve here."

"Don't you suppose he thinks there is somebody to relieve