"I am sorry, but I can't this afternoon," she said.
They united in coaxing her, but she would not listen, and with a
cheerful good-by walked briskly away.
"Mayn't I carry your parcel for you?" asked a voice at her side.
"Why, Carl, I thought you had gone with the others! It isn't dark. I
do not need anyone."
"Please, ma'm, I'd like to walk with you if you don't mind."
Dora couldn't help smiling, though she said severely, "I don't believe
you. It is because you think I am lonely by myself. I am much obliged
to you, but I wish you would run after the others."
Carl coolly took possession of the work-bag. "You will have to make
the best of it, for I am going home with you."
They walked on in silence for a minute; then he asked meekly, "Are you
mad?"
"You know I am not."
"Then you might tell what is the matter. You don't know how much good,
honest confession does one."
"Yes, I do, but I have nothing to confess. I am worried about
something, but you cannot help me, and it is not worth speaking of, at
any rate."
"Come home, then, and tell Aunt Zelie; she is pretty good at helping."
"I ought to know that; still I don't know what even she could do. It
is not much, after all; I am just rather low in my mind, as Mrs.
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