I Say No

'Noble!' Miss Ladd exclaimed.

'Yes—for it grows out of the love which has not died with her father's death.'

'Then you encourage her?'

'With my whole heart—if she would give me the opportunity!'

'We won't pursue the subject, Mr. Morris. I am told by Mrs. Ellmother that you have something to say to me. What is it?'

'I have to ask you,' Alban replied, 'to let me resign my situation at Netherwoods.'

Miss Ladd was not only surprised; she was also—a very rare thing with her—inclined to be suspicious. After what he had said to Emily, it occurred to her that Alban might be meditating some desperate project, with the hope of recovering his lost place in her favor.

'Have you heard of some better employment?' she asked.

'I have heard of no employment. My mind is not in a state to give the necessary attention to my pupils.'

'Is that your only reason for wishing to leave me?'

'It is one of my reasons.'

'The only one which you think it necessary to mention?'

'Yes.'

'I shall be sorry to lose you, Mr. Morris.'

'Believe me, Miss Ladd, I am not ungrateful for your kindness.'

'Will you let me, in all kindness, say something more?' Miss Ladd answered. 'I don't intrude on your secrets—I only hope that you have no rash project in view.'

'I don't understand you, Miss Ladd.'

'Yes, Mr. Morris—you do.'

She shook hands with him—and went back to Emily.

CHAPTER LI. THE DOCTOR SEES.

Alban returned to Netherwoods—to continue his services, until another master could be found to take his place.

By a later train Miss Ladd followed him. Emily was too well aware of the importance of the mistress's presence to the well-being of the school, to permit her to remain at the cottage. It was understood that they were to correspond, and that Emily's room was waiting for her at Netherwoods, whenever she felt inclined to occupy it.

Mrs. Ellmother made the tea, that evening, earlier than usual. Being alone again with Emily, it struck her that she might take advantage of her position to say a word in Alban's favor. She had chosen her time unfortunately. The moment she pronounced the name, Emily checked her by a look, and spoke of another person—that person being Miss Jethro.

Mrs. Ellmother at once entered her protest, in her own downright way. 'Whatever you do,' she said, 'don't go back to that! What does Miss Jethro matter to you?'

'I am more interested in her than you suppose—I happen to know why she left the school.'

'Begging your pardon, miss, that's quite impossible!'

'She left the school,' Emily persisted, 'for a serious reason. Miss Ladd discovered that she had used false references.'

'Good Lord! who told you that?'

'You see I know it. I asked Miss Ladd how she got her information. She was bound by a promise never to mention the person's name. I didn't say it to her—but I may say it to you. I am afraid I have an idea of who the person was.'

'No,' Mrs. Ellmother obstinately asserted, 'you can't possibly know who it was! How should you know?'

'Do you wish me to repeat what I heard in that room opposite, when my aunt was dying?'

'Drop it, Miss Emily! For God's sake, drop it!'

'I can't drop it. It's dreadful to me to have suspicions of my aunt—and no better reason for them than what she said in a state of delirium. Tell me, if you love me, was it her wandering fancy? or was it the truth?'

'As I hope to be saved, Miss Emily, I can only guess as you do—I don't rightly know. My mistress trusted me half way, as it were. I'm afraid I have a rough tongue of my own sometimes. I offended her—and from that time she kept her own counsel. What she did, she did in the dark, so far as I was concerned.'

'How did you offend her?'

'I shall be obliged to speak of your father if I tell you how?'

'Speak of him.'

'He was not to blame—mind that!' Mrs. Ellmother said earnestly. 'If I wasn't certain of what I say now you wouldn't get a word out of me. Good harmless man—there's no denying it—he was in love with Miss Jethro! What's the matter?'