Hecla stood looking on, and the two aunties came out, very much astonished.
But at first, neither Mr. nor Mrs. Croft could look at anybody or anything except their child, from whom they had been so many months parted.
Ivy's happy murmurs of "Mummie!" and "Daddy!" mingled with their smothered sounds of joy.
At last, they spoke to Aunt Millicent and Aunt Anne, Mrs. Croft still clasping Ivy, and the child still clinging to her.
"Yes, we have really, really come home," Mrs. Croft said.
"And you won't go away again, mummie?" Ivy entreated, as they went indoors, after a good deal of questioning, and of half answering, everybody speaking confusedly all at once.
"No, my sweet; never, never again, I hope!"
They had still to explain how it was that they had returned. It was Ivy who made them do so. Her little voice was heard very distinctly enquiring:
"Why-because have mummie and daddy got back?"
"Sweet little 'why-because!' I am so glad you have not cured her of that," Mrs. Croft said, as she hugged her child afresh.