She would not lisp -- she would be calm and composed . `` Mrs. Channing can not come because her son is ill in Kingsport , and I have come on behalf of the committee to ask you if you will be so kind as to sing for us in her place . '' Rilla enunciated every word so precisely and carefully that she seemed to be reciting a lesson . `` It 's something of a fiddler 's invitation , is n't it ? '' said Irene , with one of her disagreeable smiles . `` Olive Kirk asked you to help when we first thought of the concert and you refused , '' said Rilla . `` Why , I could hardly help -- then -- could I ? '' asked Irene plaintively . `` After you ordered me never to speak to you again ? It would have been very awkward for us both , do n't you think ? '' Now for the humble pie . `` I want to apologize to you for saying that , Irene . '' said Rilla steadily . `` I should not have said it and I have been very sorry ever since . Will you forgive me ? '' `` And sing at your concert ? '' said Irene sweetly and insultingly . `` If you mean , '' said Rilla miserably , `` that I would not be apologizing to you if it were not for the concert perhaps that is true . But it is also true that I have felt ever since it happened that I should not have said what I did and that I have been sorry for it all winter . That is all I can say .
XXXXX you feel you ca n't forgive me I suppose there is nothing more to be said . ''
After If at because for in of since that with