This was satisfactory , of course , highly so . What a relief it was to be rid of that girl with her self-assertiveness and independence . I said to myself that I hoped her friend would keep her for a week . I forgot to be disappointed that she had not when , next afternoon , I saw Gussie coming in at the gate with a tolerably large satchel and an armful of golden rod . I sauntered down to relieve her , and we had a sharp argument under way before we were halfway up the lane . As usual Gussie refused to give in that she was wrong . Her walk had brought a faint , clear tint to her cheeks and her rippling dusky hair had half slipped down on her neck . She said she had to make some cookies for tea and if I had nothing better to do I might go and talk to her while she mixed them . It was not a gracious invitation but I went , rather than be left to my own company . By the end of the week I was as much at home at Ashley Mills as if I had lived there all my life . Gussie and I were thrown together a good deal , for lack of other companions , and I saw no reason to change my opinion of her . She could be lively and entertaining when she chose , and at times she might be called beautiful . Still , I did not approve of her -- at least I thought so , most of the time . Once in a while came a state of feeling which I did not quite understand . One evening I went to prayer meeting with Aunt Lucy and Gussie . I had not seen the minister of Ashley Mills before , though Gussie and her mother seemed to know him intimately . I had an idea that he was old and silvery-haired and benevolent-looking . So I was rather surprised to find him as young as myself -- a tall , pale , intellectual-looking man , with a high , white brow and dark , earnest eyes -- decidedly attractive . I was still more surprised when , after the service , he joined Gussie at the door and went down the steps with her . I felt distinctly ill-treated as I fell back with Aunt Lucy .
There was no reason why I should -- none ; it ought XXXXX have been a relief .
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