“And afterward, you must come and see me and we will have nice times together, and I may teach you a little music—you learn so easily. Oh, I count on seeing a good deal of you.”
The parting was not as bitter as Miss Armitage had feared, partly because Mr. Borden was there and in such good spirits, and Marilla was thinking that the month would soon pass and that in any event she could not see her dear fairy godmother in that time.
The journey interested her very much. She had never taken so long a ride in the cars. Mr. Borden bought her a box of marshmallows and he had some illustrated papers. And there at the station was Miss Florence who gave her a cordial welcome, and the big surrey drove them and three other passengers to their destination. Mrs. Borden ran down the path to meet them.
“I’ve been on pins and needles lest something should happen,” she began. “Why, Marilla, you don’t look as if you had ever been ill! 137 And we’re so glad to get you back. Oh, you don’t know what an awful time I had, and at first the babies wouldn’t let Ellen touch them. Flo or I had to feed them. I’m clear worn out now, but I do hope the babies haven’t forgotten you, for I want a little rest. It seemed too bad that you should have given out just then. And I do believe you’ve grown taller. Why, you are quite a big girl.”
The twins sat on a blanket on the grassy space at the side of the house. Mrs. Borden led the girl out to them with a glad sound in her voice.
“Here’s your dear Illa come,” she said. “Dear Illa that you’ve wanted so much.”
Pansy looked up. Marilla gave one spring and knelt down beside them. It was nice to be longed for, to be remembered. She had really loved them. Her heart was always reaching out for something to love.
“Illa, Illa,” almost shouted Pansy and went down head first in Marilla’s lap.
“Oh, you darling!”
“I’m glad you didn’t get weaned away, Marilla. I was afraid you would, having such a fuss made over you. Mr. Borden said 138 the house was fine. That Miss Armitage must be rich. Well—she was very good to you and did the best she could for us. But that Ellen didn’t like children, that was the long and the short of it, and she has just the place for her, and eighteen dollars a month. Yes, Violet, this is our own Marilla come back to us, and we shall never let her go away again.”