Miss Billy
Copyright© 2024 by Eleanor H. Porter
Chapter 41: The Crooked Made Straight
William did not re-enter the house after his talk with Billy on the veranda.
“I will go down the steps and around by the rose garden to the street, dear,” he said. “I’d rather not go in now. Just make my adieus, please, and say that I couldn’t stay any longer. And now—good-by.” His eyes as they looked down at her, were moist and very tender. His lips trembled a little, but they smiled, and there was a look of new-born peace and joy on his face.
Billy, too, was smiling, though wistfully. The frightened questioning had gone from her eyes, leaving only infinite tenderness.
“You are sure it—it is all right—now?” she stammered.
“Very sure, little girl; and it’s the first time it has been right for weeks. Billy, that was very dear of you, and I love you for it; but think how near—how perilously near you came to lifelong misery!”
“But I thought—you wanted me—so much,” she smiled shyly.
“And I did, and I do—for a daughter. You don’t doubt that NOW?”
“No, oh, no,” laughed Billy, softly; and to her face came a happy look of relief as she finished: “And I’ll be so glad to be—the daughter!”
For some minutes after the man had gone, Billy stood by the steps where he had left her. She was still there when Bertram came to the veranda door and spoke to her.
“Billy, I saw William go by the window, so I knew you were alone. May I speak to you?”
The girl turned with a start.
“Why, of course! What is it?—but I thought you were playing. Where is Marie?”
“The game is finished; besides—Billy, why are you always asking me lately where Marie is, as if I were her keeper, or she mine?” he demanded, with a touch of nervous irritation.
“Why, nothing, Bertram,” smiled Billy, a little wearily; “only that you were playing together a few minutes ago, and I wondered where she had gone.”
“‘A few minutes ago’!” echoed Bertram with sudden bitterness. “Evidently the time passed swiftly with you, Billy. William was out here MORE than an hour.”
“Why—Bertram!”
“Yes, I know. I’ve no business to say that, of course,” sighed the man; “but, Billy, that’s why I came out—because I must speak to you this once. Won’t you come and sit down, please?” he implored despairingly.
“Why, Bertram,” murmured Billy again, faintly, as she turned toward the vine-shaded corner and sat down. Her eyes were startled. A swift color had come to her cheeks.
To read the complete story you need to be logged in:
Log In or
Register for a Free account
(Why register?)
* Allows you 3 stories to read in 24 hours.