They
would not understand. I am going to ally myself with Mrs. Chataway in a
connection which will lead to the widest possible influence for her and
for me. In Mrs. Chataway's letter to-day she urges me to join her. She
says I have enormous magnetism and--and other qualifications."
"Don't you want me to tell Cyrus?" said mother. She spoke quite faintly.
"You can simply tell Cyrus that I have gone to Mrs. Chataway's," said
Aunt Elizabeth. "You can also tell him I shall be too occupied to
return. Good-bye, Ada. Good-bye, Peggy. Remember, it is the bruised
herb that gives out the sweetest odor."
Before I could stop myself I had laughed, out of happiness, I think.
For I remembered how the spearmint had smelled in the garden when
Stillman Dane and I stepped on it in the dark and how bright the moon
was, and I knew nobody could be unhappy very long.
"I telephoned for a carriage," said Aunt Elizabeth. "There it is." She
and mother were going down the stairs, and suddenly I felt I couldn't
have her go like that.
"Oh, Aunt--Aunt Lily!" I called. "Stop! I want to speak to you." I ran
after her. "I'm going to have a profession, too," I said. "I'm going to
devote my life to it, and I am just as glad as I can be." I put my arms
round her and kissed her on her soft, pink cheeks, and we both cried a
little.
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