"I will not tell him, to vex him, and get you scolded." "Then let us run home." She took his hand, and he ran with her like a playmate, and oh! the father's heart leaped and glowed at this sweet companionship after danger and terror.
When they got near the house Mary Bartley began to walk and think.

She had a very thinking countenance at times, and Hope watched her, and wondered what were her thoughts.

She was very grave, so probably she was thinking how very near she had been to the other world.
Standing on the door-step, whilst he stood on the gravel, she let him know her thoughts.

All her life, and even at this tender age, she had very searching eyes; they were gray now, though they had been blue.
She put her hands to her waist, and bent those searching eyes on William Hope.
"Mr.Hope," said she, in a resolute sort of way.
"My dear," said he, eagerly.
"YOU LOVE ME BETTER THAN PAPA DOES, THAT'S ALL." And having administered this information as a dry fact that might be worth looking into at leisure, she passed thoughtfully into the house..