Part 8 (2/2)
”I'm almost sure of it It has to be known sooner or later But don't say anything to Alice”
”Why not? The idea! She ought to be exposed--and punished I'll go to--”
”No, please don't, Betty It--it is true, and--and there is no use giving her the satisfaction of knowing that she has--has hurt me,”
faltered Amy
”Oh, the meanness of it!” murmured Betty ”But, Amy dear, I don't understand This doesn't at all look like the writing of Alice Jallow”
”I know; she has disguised her scribbling, that's all But it doesn't e her with it”
”Why not?”
”I haven't the heart Oh, Betty, I'm afraid it's only too true! I really don't knoho my father and mother are!”
”A while, and now I aton!” cried Betty ”Do you et to soo to Miss Greene's rooone for the day But perhaps you don't want to tell irls And then oing to hint--and I see that you are--that we'd pay any attention to this note, or let it make any difference between us--even if it's true--which I don't believe--let's see--what do I want to say--I'm all confused Oh, I know
I mean that it shan't make a particle of difference to us--if you never had a father or mother--”
”Oh, of course I had--soh a mist of tears
”Only there's a ht--all of us thought--that Mr and Mrs Stonington were your parents,” said the wondering Betty
”So did I, until lately Then I began to notice that papa and ether They always stopped talking when I caht be about so me away to be educated in h I did not want to go away from dear Deepdale
”Their queer consultations increased, and they looked at ely that finally I went to mamma--no, my aunt, as I must call her, and--”
”Your aunt!” exclaiton is toto call her aunt, however, and Mr Stonington uncle They wish it”
”Oh, then they have told you?”
”Yes It was the night before the day that I fainted in school It was thinking of that, I guess, that unnerved me”
”Why, Amy! A mystery about you?”
”Yes, and one I fear will never be found out I'll tell you about it”
”Not unless you'd rather, dear,” and Betty put her arms about her chu room