That look
went home; and for a moment--only one moment--Mittie wavered. She knew
how much more this meant to Joan than it could mean to herself. She knew
that she had no right to put herself first, to snatch the joy from Joan.
But the habit of self-indulgence was too strong.
[Sidenote: "It is all Nonsense!"]
"If you choose to stay at home, I shall go without you. It is all
nonsense about 'can't'! You can go if you like."
* * * * *
Joan remained alone, thinking.
What could she say? Mittie, the spoilt younger sister, always had had
her own way, and always insisted on having it. She would insist now, and
would have it, as usual.
That Mittie would go was indeed a foregone conclusion, and Joan had
known it from the first. The question was--could she go too? Would it be
right to leave the old lady, depressed and suffering, all those
hours--just for her own pleasure, even though it meant much more than
mere pleasure?
The girls owed a great deal to Mrs. Wills. She was not rich, though she
had a comfortable little home; and when she took in the two
granddaughters, it meant a heavy pull on her purse. It meant, also,
parting with a valued companion--a paid companion--whom she had had for
years, and on whom she very much depended. This necessary step was
taken, with the understanding that the two girls would do all in their
power to supply her place.
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