She sat with her hands crossed on her lap, and the sunny light of her eyes was dimmed.

When she had tried for a while to talk of ordinary things, Letty saw a tear glisten upon her cheek.
'What is the matter, love ?' Adela was in sore need of telling her troubles, and Letty was the only one to whom she could do so.

In such spirit-gentle words as could express the perplexities of her mind she told what a source of pain her mother's conversation had been to her of late, and how she dreaded what might still be to come.
'It is so dreadful to think, Letty, that mother is encouraging him.

She thinks it is for my happiness; she is offended if I try to say what I suffer.

Oh, I couldn't! I couldn't!' She put her palms before her face; her maidenhood shamed to speak of these things even to her bosom friend.
'Can't you show him, darling, that--that he mustn't hope anything ?' 'How can I do so?
It is impossible to be rude, and everything else it is so easy to misunderstand.' 'But when he really speaks, then it will come to an end.' 'I shall grieve mother so, Letty.