It was a November morning, and Fleda had been doing some of the last jobs in her flower-beds. She was coming in with spirits as bright as her cheeks, when her aunt's attitude and look, more than usually spiritless, suddenly checked them. Fleda gave her a hopeful kiss and asked for the explanation.
"How bright you look, darling!" said her aunt, stroking her cheek.
"Yes, but you don't, aunt Lucy. What has happened?"
"They are tired of the place--don't like it, I suppose."
"Very foolish of them! Well, aunt Lucy, what matter? we can get plenty more in their room."
"Not from the city--not possible; they would not come at this time of year."
"Sure?--Well, then here we can at any rate."
"Here! But what sort of persons shall we get here? And your uncle--just think!"--
"O but I think we can manage," said Fleda. "When do Mary and Jane want to go?"
"Immediately!--to-morrow--they are not willing to wait till we can get somebody. Think of it!"
"Well let them go," said Fleda,--"the sooner the better."
"Yes, and I am sure I don't want to keep them; but--" and Mrs. Rossitur wrung her hands--"I haven't money enough to pay them quite,--and they won't go without it."
Fleda felt shocked--so much that she could not help looking it.
Mrs. Rossitur shook her head. "I have asked him."
"Twenty-five. Think of his not being able to give me that!"--Mrs. Rossitur burst into tears.
"Now don't, aunt Lucy!"--said Fleda, guarding well her own composure;--"you know he has had a great deal to spend upon the farm and paying men, and all, and it is no wonder that he should be a little short just now,--now cheer up!--we can get along with this anyhow."
"I asked him," said Mrs. Rossitur through her tears, "when he would be able to give it to me; and he told me he didn't know!--"
Fleda ventured no reply but some of the tenderest caresses that lips and arms could give; and then sprang away and in three minutes was at her aunt's side again.
"Look here, aunt Lucy," said she gently,--"here is twenty dollars, if you can manage the five."
"Where did you get this?" Mrs. Rossitur exclaimed.
"I got it honestly. It is mine, aunt Lucy," said Fleda smiling. "Uncle Orrin gave me some money just before we came away, to do what I liked with; and I haven't wanted to do anything with it till now."