I hate concealment." It was a trial; but Elizabeth held her ground.
"I beg your pardon, ma'am; but I don't think missis would like any body to know, and therefore I'd rather not tell you." Now the honest Scotswoman, as she said, hated any thing underhand, but she respected the right of every human being to maintain silence if necessary.

She looked sharply in Elizabeth's face, which apparently re-assured her, for she said, not unkindly, "Very well, child, keep your mistress's secrets by all means.

Only tell me what you want.

Shall I take a cab and fetch Miss Hilary at once ?" Elizabeth thanked her, but said she thought that would not do; it would be better just to send the note the first thing to-morrow morning, and then Miss Hilary would come home just as if nothing had happened, and Miss Leaf would not be frighted by her sudden appearance.
"You are a good, mindful girl," said Miss Balquidder.

"How did you learn to be so sensible ?" At the kindly word and manner, Elizabeth, bewildered and exhausted with the excitement she had gone through, and agitated by the feeling of having, for the first time in her life, to act on her own responsibility, gave way a little.