e went no more to walk without asking leave; she
visited no more at Mrs. Laval's; Mrs. Candy even took Matilda in her
triumph to her own church in the morning. Matilda suffered, but
submitted without a word.

How much the child suffered, nobody knew or guessed. She kept it to
herself. Mrs. Candy did not even suspect that there was much suffering
in the case, beyond a little enforced submission, and a little
disappointment now and then about going to see somebody. Mrs. Laval's
house was forbidden, that was all; and for a few days Matilda did not
get time, or leave, to go out to walk.

She was kept very busy. And she was pleasant about her work with Maria,
and gentle and well-behaved when at her work with her aunt. Not gay,
certainly, as she had begun to be sometimes lately, before this time;
but Maria was so far from gaiety herself that she did not miss it in
her sister; and Mrs. Candy saw no change but the change she had wished
for. Nevertheless they did not see all. There were hours, when Matilda
could shut herself up in her room and be alone, and Maria was asleep in
her bed at night; when the little head bent over her Bible, and tears
fell like rain, and struggles that nobody dreamed of went on in the
child's heart. The thing she lived on, was the hope of getting out and
doing that beloved shopping; meeting Norton, somehow, somewhere, as one
does impossible things in a dream, and arranging with him to go to
Lilac Lane together. The little pocket-book lay all safe and ready
waiting for the time; and when Matilda could let herself think pleasant
thoughts, she went into rapturous fancies of the wonderful changes to
be wrought in Mrs. Eldridge's house.

She saw nothing meanwhile of Lemuel Dow. The Sunday following her
afternoon at Mrs. Laval's had been a little rainy in the latter part of
it. Perhaps the little Dow boy, who minded rain no more than a duck on
other days, might be afraid of a wetting on Sunday. Other people often
are. But Matilda meant to look for him next time, and have her sugared
almonds in readiness.

One of the days of that week, it happened that Mrs. Candy took Matilda
out with her for a walk. It was not at all agreeable to Matilda; but
she was learning to submit to what was not agreeable, and she made no
objection. On the way they stopped at Mr. Sample's store; Mrs. Candy
wanted to get some smoked salmon. Mr. Sample served her himself.

"How did you like the tea I sent you?" he asked, while he w