Because she was worse off than if she had no mother.

For the first time in her life, Mrs.Comstock began to study herself as she would appear to others.

Every time a junior girl came fluttering down the aisle, leading some one to a seat, and Mrs.Comstock saw a beautiful white dress pass, a wave of positive illness swept over her.

What had she done?
What would become of Elnora?
As Elnora rode to the city, she answered Wesley's questions in monosyllables so that he thought she was nervous or rehearsing her speech and did not care to talk.

Several times the girl tried to tell him and realized that if she said the first word it would bring uncontrollable tears.