“Oh, is this the new cousin?”
“Yes, Marilla Bond. This is Edith, this is May and this is our baby Jessie—” 257
“We were afraid you wouldn’t get here in time. We had begun our lunch—”
“Run back dears, we will be down in a minute.”
They kissed Marilla with sweet heartiness that won her at once. Mrs. Warren took off her wrap and hat and they went down. How strange it was to have these girls smiling and expressing delight.
“You’re going to keep her, mother?” declared Edith.
“Oh yes, as long as her guardian will let her stay. You will find her here when you come back.”
“And wasn’t it funny to have a fortune drop down on you? Mother could hardly believe it at first, and then we were so glad to find you.”
Marilla glanced up with a smile, but she wanted to cry for very joy.
Then they kissed her again and ran off to school.