with the straps of Lucy's trunk instead of strapping her own.
"Failed to make you happy; failed in my duty to your mother. She
has been so generous to me; I shall never face her again after
this disaster."

"But mother will understand. It is not your fault, this trouble,
and it isn't a disaster either."

"It is my fault, it is a disaster. She will never forgive me, and
rightly. Fur instance, what right had I to make friends with Miss
Lavish?"

"Every right."

"When I was here for your sake? If I have vexed you it is equally
true that I have neglected you. Your mother will see this as
clearly as I do, when you tell her."

Lucy, from a cowardly wish to improve the situation, said:

"Why need mother hear of it?"

"But you tell her everything?"

"I suppose I do generally."

"I dare not break your confidence. There is something sacred in
it. Unless you feel that it is a thing you could not tell her."

The girl would not be degraded to this.