Page:Leah Reed--Brenda's summer at Rockley.djvu/315

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
BRENDA’S SUMMER AT ROCKLEY
297

know what I shall do. I’m beginning to hate him already.’’

“My dear!” exclaimed Julia, somewhat shocked.

“Well, I can’t help it.”

“But he has never done you any harm.”

“Ah, but it's just the same thing. I am feeling the effects of it more than any one else.”

Then, on second thought, Brenda added, “Oh, of course, you have really had to spend more money, as long as you thought it best to make it up to Mrs. Rosa. But you don’t seem to care about spending money, as I do,” and Brenda sighed a heavy sigh. “Just as soon as the wedding is over I’m going over to Salem to see how that man lives. Probably we can persuade him to give part of it back.”

“You’d better not go without an older person,” said Julia, anxiously. “I don’t think that it would be exactly safe.”

“I ’ll take you with me,” replied Brenda, “and perhaps Amy; with two such wise persons, I could n’t possibly get into any harm. Could I?”

“I’m not so sure,” responded Julia, smiling. “We can’t always tell where harm is lurking.”

“Well, for further protection, we might take Miss South. But good-night, I’m sleepy now.”

The first of September dawned mild and pleasant. There was a slight haze in the air such as one may look for in September, a haze which may mean rain, or may not. Brenda, as she looked out toward the sea, before