ou must not be too hard on her. It was the
outcome of the desperate dulness and life-weariness that came over her
with the knowledge that youth and its joys were past, leaving nothing in
their place. The calm and resignation to a lonely existence, empty of all
that human hearts desire, which came in after-years, she could not yet
command. Oh, if you could imagine, as I remember, the bitterness of that
period, you would not be too hard upon her for anything she might have
done! But, really, it was nothing very bad. People would not call it so,
even if it had ever become known." And then, with blushing cheeks and
shamed eyes, Miss Ludington poured into Ida's ears a story that would
have disappointed any one expectant of a highly sensational disclosure,
but which stood out in her memory as the one indiscretion of an otherwise
blameless life. That she imparted it to Ida was the most striking
evidence she could have given of the absolute community of interests
which she recognized as existing between them. She was greatly comforted
when Ida, instead of appearing shocked, declared that she sympathized
with the culprit more than she blamed her, and that her misconduct was
venial.

"I suppose," said Miss Ludington, "every one, in looking back upon their
past selves, sees some whom they condemn, and, perhaps, despise, and
others whom they admire and sympathize with. And I confess I sympathize
with this poor girl. Those I don't like are some whom I remember to have
lacked softness of heart, to have been sour and ungenerous; these, for
instance," indicating certain pictures. "But it is hardly fair," she
added, laughing, "for us two to get together and abuse the rest of the
family, who, no doubt, if they were present, would have something to say
for themselves, and some criticisms to offer on us--that is, on me. None
of them would criticize you. You were the darling and pride of us all."

"If I do say it," Miss Ludington presently resumed, "we have been a very
respectable lot on the whole. The Ida Ludingtons have been good babies,
good children, good girls, good women, and, I hope, will prove to have
been respectable old women. In the spirit land, when we all meet
together, there will be no black sheep among us, nor even anybody that we
shall need to send to Coventry: But I do not see why special affinities
should not assert themselves there as here, and cliques form among us.
You will belong to them all, of course, but next to you