Elizabeth

Yes.

answered Sarah, and suddenly a strange thought passed through her mind and made her face flush.

She held the pile of garments in her arms, and her chin rested upon the top of it to keep it steady.

Something in the look of her straight, gazing eyes made Ermengarde lose her wits still more

She felt as if Sarah had changed into a new kind of girl, and she had never known her before.

Perhaps it was because she had suddenly grown poor and had to mend things and work like Becky.

Oh, she stammered.

I don't know, Sarah replied.

How are you?

I'm quite well, said Ermengarde, overwhelmed with shyness.

Then, spasmodically, she thought of something to say which seemed more intimate.

She said in a rush.

Then Sarah was guilty of an injustice.

Just at that moment, her torn heart swelled within her, and she felt that if anyone was as stupid as that, one had better get away from her.

What do you think?

she said.

And she marched past her without another word.

In course of time, she realized that if her wretchedness had not made her forget things, she would have known that poor, dull Ermengarde was not to be blamed for her unready, awkward ways.

She was always awkward, and the more she felt, the more stupid she was given to being.

But the sudden thought which had flashed upon her had made her oversensitive.