"I'm sorry, Dear," she said simply; "but you know--"
"I know that you won't do anything of which I disapprove, Ann."
"You're mistaken, Everett," Ann contradicted slowly. "I could not allow even you to mark out my duty. And something makes me so anxious to help them! I don't want to go against your wishes; but--I must do as my conscience dictates."
"Surely you don't mean, Ann, that if you were my wife you would force--"
"Please don't, Everett! No, of course not; but this is Horace's home and mine, and, if we desire to share it with someone less fortunate than we are, you shouldn't object."
Everett took up no more time in vain argument; but registered a vow that he would make it warm for the beggars who had thrust themselves upon the Shellingtons. He would search for an opportunity! Impatient and unsettled, he left Ann. She, too, was unhappy; for it had been the first time her duty had ever clashed with her love. The shock of the collision hurt.
The next morning Flea crept into her brother's room and stood looking down at him. He opened his eyes languidly, smiled, and groaned.
"Ain't yer bones any better this mornin'?" asked Flea in an awed whisper.
"Yep; but my heart hurts me. The pains round it be worse than the misery in my knees, 'cause I can't breathe."
Flea bent lower.
"Did the pretty lady tell ye anythin' last night?"
"Nope; did she tell you anythin'?"
"Yep, all about the Jesus. Get her to tell you, Fluke. It's better than fairy stories. I can't remember all of it; but she says He jest loved everybody so well that He let 'em nail Him on a cross, and died there. But He got up again, and that's how He came to be up there."
Flea pointed upward.
"Did Miss--Miss Shellington tell ye that?"
"Yep, Fluke." She hesitated and whispered again, "Do ye believe it, Fluke?"
"Course I do, if she says it! Don't ye think what she says is so?"
"I don't believe all that," replied Flea. "I tried last night, and couldn't. You used to laugh at me when I said as how there was ghosts."
"Mebbe she don't believe in ghosts," sighed Flukey.
"It's almost the same. She believes in Jesus."
"He's all I believe in, too." Flukey closed his eyes wearily.
"Fluke," whispered Flea presently, "ye ought to see that room I slep' in! It were finer'n this one."