"
"I have got news that may mean a great deal to you, but before I tell it
I want you to give me a promise. I want you to let mother off this
month's installment of her debt."
"What?" cried Mrs. Church, turning very pale. "The money that she owes
me?"
"Yes, the money she owes you. A thief came into the shop and took some
of her money, and she is very short of money and very worried. I will
tell you the news if you will forgive mother."
"Well," said Mrs. Church, "of all the impertinent, bare-faced, wicked
little girls, you beat them all. My answer to that, Susan Hopkins, is
no; and you can leave the house, for that is the last word you will
get."
"Thank you, Aunt Church," said Susy. "I will leave it. It doesn't matter
whether you hear the message I have come to give you or not. It is from
Miss Kathleen O'Hara, but that don't matter, either. What have you to do
with a young lady like Miss Kathleen O'Hara. She's as unsuitable to be
with you as she is to be with me. Good-bye, Aunt Church; good-bye."
Susy got as far as the door when Mrs. Church called her back.
"Come here, you bad little thing," she said. "Sit down on that chair.
Now, what do you mean?"
"I say I will give you my message if you will forgive mother."
"Then I won't. I will never hear your message."
"All right, I will go," said Susy. "I'll tell Miss Kathleen; she will be
disappointed, so to speak. It was about those almshouses, but--"
"Look here, child; you tell me first, and then I'll consider.
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