t? It's rather late for breaking off the match."

Joanna had never contemplated such a thing. It would be difficult to say
exactly how far her plans had stretched, probably no further than the
argument and moral suasion which would forcibly compel Ellen to love if
she did not love already.

"No, no--I'd never have you break it off--with the carriages and the
breakfast ordered, and my new gownd, and your troosoo and all.... But,
Ellen, if you _want_ to change your mind ... I mean, if you feel,
thinking honest, that you don't love Arthur ... for pity's sake say so
now before it's too late. I'll stand by you--I'll face the racket--I'd
sooner you did anything than--"

"Oh, don't be an ass, Jo. Of course I don't want to change my mind. I
know what I'm doing, and I'm very fond of Arthur--I love him, if you
want the word. I like being with him, and I even like it when he kisses
me. So you needn't worry."

"Marriage is more than just being kissed and having a man about the
house."

"I know it is."

Something in the way she said it made Joanna see she was abysmally
ignorant.

"Is there anything you'd like to ask me, dearie?"

"Nothing you could possibly know anything about."

Joanna turned on her.

"I'll learn you to sass me. You dare say such a thing!"

"Well, Jo--you're not married, and there _are_ some things you don't
know."

"That's right--call me an old maid! I tell you I could have made a
better marriage than you, my girl.... I could have made the very
marriage you're making, for the matter of that."

She stood up, preparing to go in anger. Then suddenly as she looked down
on Ellen, fragile and lily-white among the bed-clothes, her heart smote
her and she relented. This was Ellen's last night at home.

"Don't let's grumble at each other. I know you and I haven't quite hit
it off, my dear, and I'm sorry, as I counted a lot on us being at
Ansdore together. I thought maybe we'd be at Ansdore together all our
lives. Howsumever, I reckon things are better as they are--it was my own
fault, trying to make a lady of you, and I'm glad it's all well ended.
Only see as it's truly well ended, dear--for Arthur's sake as well as
yours. He's a good chap and deserves the best of you."

Ellen was still angry, but something about Joanna as she stooped over
the bed, her features obscure in the lamplight, her shadow dim and
monstrous on the ceiling, made a sudden, almost reproachful appeal. A
rush of genuine feeling made