Page:A Nameless Nobleman.djvu/83

Rh was not to stay after nine o'clock. Your mother would not have me disobey my mother, I suppose," said Mary quietly.

"Well, I don't care, I'm sure," replied Mercy, with a toss of her head. "But she's going to send him over, the minute he gets back from the Corners, to take us both home on the sled. She says maybe we'd get snowed up here by to-morrow morning and, anyway, it's better for you to be over there nights while your mother is away."

"Your mother is very kind, but I shall stay here," returned Molly still very quietly, although a deep red rose began to burn on either cheek, and her lips closed a little tighter than their wont.

Mercy looked at her shrewdly for a moment, warming first one, then the other, of her chilled feet, then said, with a short, sharp laugh,—

"My! Won't you and Reuben just fight when once you're married! You're mighty proud of never giving in, but I guess you'll find your master then. I used to try to stand out against him sometimes, but I got sick of it."

"Why, what could he do to make you afraid of him?" asked Molly a little curiously.

"Stick pins in me, pull my hair, pinch little bits right out of my arms, put things to scare me in the dark, set a dog on me, make mother mad, and lots of things beside. You'll find out if you undertake any high and mighty ways after you're married." And Mercy smiled delightedly at the prospect of the future. Molly smiled too, a smile half contempt, half