Try and tell me what she said," said granny. "Perhaps 'twould help an
old body, too."

But Mona could not do that, nor could she put her feelings into words very
well. "I'll read to you instead, if you'd like me to, granny."

When Millie Higgins had come out of church she had walked rapidly
homewards by herself. Patty and her father had gone on. Mona was with
her father and grandmother, and Millie felt that she could not face Mrs.
Barnes just then. She was fighting a big fight with herself, and she had
not won yet. But in the afternoon, when they came out of the school
library, the two walked together. They took Patty home, because she was
too tired to do any more that day. Then Mona and Millie hesitated,
looking at each other. "I must go home, too," said Mona. "I thought I'd
have been able to go for a walk, but it's too late. Granny'll be
expecting me."

Millie looked at her without speaking, half turned to leave her,
hesitated, and finally walked on at Mona's side. She seemed nervous and
embarrassed, but Mona did not notice it. She did not realize anything of
the struggle going on in Millie's mind. She was too much occupied in
glancing at the pictures in her book, and reading a sentence here and
there.

"I'm longing to begin it. I think granny'll like it too."

Millie did not answer, and they walked the rest of the way in silence.
When they reached the house Mona stood for a moment without opening the
door. She was somewhat troubled in her mind as to what to do. She did
not want to ask Millie in, yet she was afraid of hurting her feelings by
not doing so. Millie stood, and did not say good-bye. Her cheeks were
flushed, and she was evidently very nervous.

"May I come in?" she asked at last. "Yes, do come inside." Mona was a
little surprised at Millie's daring, and not too well pleased, but she
tried to speak cordially. Opening the door, she went in first.
"Granny, here's Millie Higgins come to see you. She's been to school with
Patty and me, and we've walked back together!"

Mrs. Barnes was sitting in her chair by the fire. "Well, Millie," she
said kindly. "It's a long time since I've seen you. Sit down."
Whether she suspected the truth neither of the girls could make out.
Millie grew even redder in the cheeks, and looked profoundly
uncomfortable.

"I--I've come to say--" she burst out in a jerky, nervous fashion,
"I--I came here on Wednesday--when you were out, and I--behaved badly-