of her exhausted emotion drew her subconsciously towards
the jolly, serene nature as a hurt child runs to its mother.

The house door was open, so she walked straight in and put the pears
down on the table. But she did not kiss her aunt, because she
instinctively feared that the slightest breath of emotion might upset
her self-control. "I bought these off a barrow. Don't know if they'll
be sweet," she said. "Can't stop!"

"Sit down a minute," said Mrs. Creddle. "You look fit to drop. Aren't
you feeling well, Carrie?"

"Oh, I'm all right," she answered impatiently. "What's that you are
ironing?"

"It's some curtains for Miss Temple. I was there ironing yesterday,
but didn't get these finished."

Caroline sharply turned with her back to the kitchen, looking out of
the window. "Did they say anything about the wedding being put off?"

"Yes. Miss Laura's got a chill. Something to do with her digestion.
She can't scarcely eat nothing."

"Oh!" Caroline could not say another word.

"Of course, it's hard on Mr. Wilson; but I think she's in the right on
it. No use going away to them grand hotels if you can't enjoy the
food," pursued Mrs. Creddle.

"Did you--did you hear how long it was put for?" said Caroline.

"Not exactly, as you may say," answered Mrs. Creddle. "Miss Panton
came into the kitchen while I was there, and she said delays was
dangerous. You know her way. She seemed to think it would be next
month." She paused, then added uncomfortably: "I was on pins and
needles for fear they might have heard about you and Mr. Wilson,
Carrie, you know--being about the lanes at night together, and that.
But I'm sure they hadn't." She paused again. "Well, I aren't sorry
you had a lesson that night you were locked out, Carrie. Your mother
and I had the same sort of temptations when we were out in
placing--though you mayn't think it. There was a young gentleman from
college in my last situation who begged me almost on his bended knees
to walk out with him, but I knew what that led to." She paused again.
"Cheer up, lass; it hurts a bit at the time, but it's all for the best.
Once bitten, twice shy."

"You're always talking about what people did when _you_ were young,"
said Caroline, turning away abruptly.

"I know that. Things is very altered since my day," said Mrs. Creddle.
"But there's some things----"

"I've no patience with people like you, aunt," said Caroline. "You
know everything has chan