Page:Saxe Holm's Stories, Series Two.djvu/294

284 does twice as much harm as if she were; a malicious person plots and plans, and has intervals and occasions of reticence; but Clara,—why, Clara's conversation is like nothing in earth but a waste-pipe from a cistern; as soon as it is full it overflows, no matter where, when, or on whom. Give me a good, malignant, intentional gossip any day, rather than one of these perpetual leaky people. What do you suppose she 'll say to Joe now?"

"Oh, just what you told her to," said Netty.

"She is a well-meaning soul, and always ready to take advice."

"After all," said Sarah, "we don't know that Joe never heard of Matilda Bennet, except in that stocking."

"And as for that matter," continued the sensible Netty, "we don't know that it is not some other Matilda he was talking about."

"No," said Sarah, "of course we don't. I never once thought of that."

"Here are the red stockings again," said Netty, taking them out of the basket at her feet. "They don't want mending; that 's one comfort. I 'll lay them up till Joe gets well; I should n't wonder a bit if he fancied them. It will be a long time, though, poor fellow, before he 'll do much walking."

That evening as Sarah and Netty and Clara were walking home from the hospital together, Sarah said:—

"Did you write a letter for Joe Hale to-day?"