But when our friend was about to take her leave for the night I could keep it back no longer.
"'Mary,' I whispered, surprised and somewhat annoyed at my sister's calmness, 'are you going to let her go away?
You and I _can't_ stay here all night alone.' "'Do you mean that you are frightened, Laura dear ?' she said kindly, in the same tone.

'I don't see that there is anything to be frightened of; and if there were, what good would another girl--for this young woman is very little older than I--do us ?' "'She knows the house, any way, and it wouldn't seem so bad,' I replied, adding aloud, 'Oh, Mrs.Atkins'-- for I had heard the driver mention her name--'can't you stay in the house with us?
We shall feel so dreadfully strange.' "'I would have done so most gladly, Miss,' the young woman began, but Mary interrupted her.
"'I know you can't,' she said; 'your husband is ill.

Laura, it would be very wrong of us to propose such a thing.' "'That's just how it is,' said Mrs.Atkins.

'My husband has such bad nights he can't be left, and there's no one I could get to sit with him.
Besides, it's such a dreadful night to seek for any one.' "'Then the driver,' I said; 'couldn't he stay somewhere downstairs?
He might have a fire in one of the rooms.' "Mrs.Atkins wished it had been thought of before.

'Giles,'-- which it appeared was the man's name--would have done it in a minute, she was sure, but it was too late.