[CHAPTER V.]
THE LETTER.
“NOW we shall see!” Dulcibel announced in a tone of much excitement, as she drew near the door of a lonely cottage, walking by her husband’s side. On his other side trotted Joan, solemn and content.
The morning had turned out a sunny contrast to the day before, and they had decided to bring Joan with them. She was very willing to come. The last few minutes there had been about her a certain air of expectancy; and when they turned from the high road into a side lane, Joan’s little hand had given the first pull in that direction. George Rutherford marked this silently.
“Now for it, Georgie, dear! Will she acknowledge the child, I wonder? What do you think?”
“Possibly the child may acknowledge her,” suggested George.
“To be sure; I didn’t think of that. What a queer place for a lady to stay in! Clean, certainly, but—. And she really is a lady, isn’t she? Didn’t you say so?”
An explanation.
“My dear, I have not the pleasure of her acquaintance yet,” said George.