'But it will only make your head ache to bend over and tug away at
that valise, and I'll be only too glad to do it.'
'I've no doubt of that,' responded Laura, meaningly. 'It is useless
for you to make any show of regret over my going, for I know
perfectly well that you are glad to get me out of the way.'
'Why, Laura, what do you mean?' exclaimed Polly, completely dazed at
this bombshell of candour.
'I mean what I say; and I should have said it before if I could ever
have found a chance. Because I didn't mention it at the time, you
needn't suppose I've forgotten your getting me into trouble with Mrs.
Winship, the day before the Howards came.'
'That was not my fault,' said Polly, hotly. 'I didn't speak any
louder than the other girls, and I didn't know Aunt Truth objected to
Mrs. Pinkerton, and I didn't know she was anywhere near.'
'You roared like the bull of Bashan--that's what you did. Perhaps
you can't help your voice, but anybody in the canyon could have heard
you; and Mrs. Winship hasn't been the same to me since, and the boys
don't take the slightest notice of me lately.'
'You are entirely mistaken, Laura. Dr. and Mrs. Winship are just as
lovely and cordial to you as they are to everybody else, and the boys
do not feel well enough acquainted with you to "frolic" with you as
they do with us.'
'It isn't so, but you are not sensitive enough to see it; and I
should never have been poisoned if it hadn't been for you!'
'Oh, go on, do!' said Polly, beginning to lose her self-control,
which was never very great.
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