`` Oh , do forgive me , '' she said merrily . `` I should n't have , I suppose -- but you know you took me for the hired girl the very first time you saw me , and you patronized me and called me Nelly ; so I let you think so just for fun . I never thought it would come to this . When Father and I came north I took a fancy to come here and stay with Mrs. Pennington -- who is an old nurse of mine -- until Father decided where to take up our abode . I got here the night before we met . My trunk was delayed so I put on an old cotton dress her niece had left here -- and you came and saw me . I made Mrs. Pennington keep the secret -- she thought it great fun ; and I really was a great hand to do little chores and keep the cats in subjection too . I made mistakes in grammar and dropped my g 's on purpose -- it was such fun to see you wince when I did it . It was cruel to tease you so , I suppose , but it was so sweet just to be loved for myself -- not because I was an heiress and a belle -- I could n't bear to tell you the truth . Did you think I could n't read your thoughts this afternoon , when I insisted on going ashore ? You were a little ashamed of me -- you know you were . I did n't blame you for that , but if you had n't gone ashore and taken me as you did I would never have spoken to you again . Mrs. Keyton-Wells wo n't snub me next time we meet . And some way I do n't think your father will turn you out , either . Have you forgiven me yet , Burton ? '' `` I shall never call you anything but Nelly , '' said Winslow irrelevantly . The Red Room You would have me tell you the story , Grandchild ? 'T is a sad one and best forgotten -- few remember it now . There are always sad and dark stories in old families such as ours . Yet I have promised and must keep my word .
So sit down here at my feet and rest your bright head XXXXX my lap , that I may not see in your young eyes the shadows my story will bring across their bonny blue .
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