When my sister died and gave me her baby , I determined to bring the dear child up safely , training her to avoid the danger I had fallen into . Well , I 've failed . But perhaps it will be all right -- perhaps there are some men who are true , though Stephen Merritt was false . '' `` Stephen -- who ? '' demanded Willard abruptly . Miss Sally coloured . `` I did n't mean to tell you his name , '' she said , getting up . `` It was a slip of the tongue . Never mind -- forget it and him . He was not worthy of remembrance -- and yet I do remember him . I ca n't forget him -- and I hate him all the more for it -- for having entered so deeply into my life that I could not cast him out when I knew him unworthy . It is humiliating . There -- let us lock up Eden and go home . I suppose you are dying to see Joyce and tell her your precious plot has succeeded . '' Willard did not appear to be at all impatient . He had relapsed into a brown study , during which he let Miss Sally lock up the house . Then he walked silently home with her . Miss Sally was silent too . Perhaps she was repenting her confidence -- or perhaps she was thinking of her false lover . There was a pathetic droop to her lips , and her black eyes were sad and dreamy .
`` Miss XXXXX , '' said Willard at last , as they neared her house , `` had Stephen Merritt any sisters ? ''
Eden Joyce Merritt Sally Stephen Willard house life right study