mean such things. It
was his way to make them think well of him. But don't let us talk any
more about it, mamma. It isn't nice."

"Well, I'm sure I can't understand it," said Mrs. Ray. But she became
silent on the subject, and the reading of the newspaper was passed
over to Rachel.

This had not been completed when a step was heard on the gravel walk
outside, and Mrs. Ray, jumping up, declared it to be the step of
her eldest daughter. It was so, and Mrs. Prime was very soon in the
room. It was at this time about four o'clock in the afternoon, and
therefore, as the hour for tea at the cottage was half-past five, it
was naturally understood that Mrs. Prime had come there to join them
at their evening meal. After their first greeting she had seated
herself on the sofa, and there was that in her manner which showed
both to her mother and sister that she was somewhat confused,--that
she had something to say as to which there was some hesitation. "Do
take off your bonnet, Dorothea," said her mother.

"Will you come up-stairs, Dolly," said her sister, "and put your hair
straight after your walk?"

But Dolly did not care whether her hair was straight or tossed, as
the Irish girls say when the smoothness of their locks has been
disarranged. She took off her bonnet, however, and laid it on the
sofa beside her. "Mother," she said, "I've got something particular
that I want to say to you."

"I hope it's not anything serious the matter," said Mrs. Ray.

"Well, mother, it is serious. Things are serious mostly, I think,--or
should be."

"Shall I go into the garden while you are speaking to mamma?" said
Rachel.

"No, Rachel; not on my account. What I've got to say should be said
to you as well as to mother. It's all over between me and Mr. Prong."

"No!" said Mrs. Ray.

"I thought it would be," said Rachel.

"And why did you think so?" said Mrs. Prime, turning round upon her
sister, almost angrily.

"I felt that he wouldn't suit you, Dolly; that's why I thought so. If
it's all over now, I suppose there's no harm in saying that I didn't
like him well enough to hope he'd be my brother-in-law."

"But that couldn't make you think it. However, it's all over between
us. We agreed that it should be so this morning; and I thought it
right to come out and let you know at once."

"I'm glad you've told us," said Mrs. Ray.

"Was there any quarrel?" asked Rachel.

"No, Rachel, there was no quarrel; not what you call a quarrel