Primrose made no reply, but drew on her glove.
"Then I shall not see Faith," she said rather disappointedly as she rose.
"Where is Faith?" Aunt Lois looked up.
"She idled so much yesterday that she did not finish her stent, and she has a larger share this afternoon."
Rachel followed the girl out. The horses stood in the shade and Jerry had been lounging on the grass, but he sprang up and doffed his hat to his young mistress.
"I have something to say to thee." Rachel took her arm and turned her away from the house and Jerry as well. "Dost thou truly think Andrew will return?"
"He will return." There was an exultant ring of hope and youth in the sweet voice that smote the listener.
"And then," very deliberately, as if her words meant to cut something, they were so sharp and cold, "then you will marry him."
"Marry him? I?"
There was indignation in every line of the face and Rachel noted it with secret joy, though her countenance remained unmoved.