She told herself that after all there was no reason why she
should leave Old Chester immediately. Mr. Benjamin Wright's insolence
had been outrageous and he was a horrible old man; but he had said
that he would not speak of her affairs. So as far as he was concerned
she could perfectly well wait until that Western trip was over; she
would just try not to think of him. So she played with David, and
talked to him, and listened to his confidences about the journey to
Philadelphia which Dr. Lavendar planned. It was more than two months
off, but that did not trouble David. He and Dr. Lavendar had long
talks on the subject, of which, occasionally, the little boy dropped
condescending hints.
"Maybe I'll take you to Philadelphia," Helena said once, jealously;
"will you like that?"
"Yes'm," said David, without enthusiasm.
At which she reproached him; "I should think you would like to go with
me, to see Liberty Bell?"
Silence.
"And maybe Mr. Pryor will take you to ride on a steamboat," she lured
him.
"I like Dr. Lavendar best," said David, with alarm.
It was only David with whom Helena talked in these days of waiting;
Old Chester found her still unsociable, and William King was obliged
to admit that his party had not accomplished much. However, he
insisted upon being sociable himself, and continued to come frequently
to see her on the ground that she was not very well.
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