Tante kissed her affectionately. “You are a dear little girl!” she said. “And you have thought things out pretty clearly, I see, in this short time. But you mustn’t be in a hurry. Take time before you decide, Anne.”
“That is what Grandfather said. But I have decided already,” said Anne firmly. “I know I am doing right. If Grandfather wants me, I am going to stay with him and Nelly. I shall do as he says, about school and everything.” And she told Tante what she hoped to be, when she should grow old enough to help in the world.
“I think you have chosen right,” said Tante. “But the children will be disappointed. Your Grandfather and I shall have to do some planning together.”
“Oh Tante! It is so nice to be wanted!” said Anne fervently.
Then the Twins came racing up. “Hooray, Anne!” cried Freddie. “Come and play Indian with us, will you?”
“Come and see how we’ve finished the house you began for us, Anne,” said Eddie pulling her by the hand. “It is so nice to have you back!”
“I’m coming,” said Anne. “And here’s Doughboy, too! But you just ought to see my rabbits, Twins. Will you go over with me to Grandfather’s house to-morrow and see Plon and the others? That will be fun!”
Tante watched them racing down the path towards the sea; then went out to meet Nancy who was just returning from a visit to the Maguire children.
“Anne has decided to remain Anne Carlsen,” she said briefly. “I thought she would.”
“Well, I didn’t,” confessed Nancy. “I thought she’d jump at our family, Mother! The Golden Girl was just lonesome all the time, when we thought her disagreeable. I didn’t half understand her.”