He gave it to her in a mock sentimental fashion just as his speech had been. She fastened it in the bosom of her dress, making a sweeping courtesy.
A strange flash glowed over Dick Fairlie’s face. I do not think any one else observed it, but it sent my heart up to my throat in a moment. I understood with a kind of secret sense that it was both love and jealousy. Then I glanced at gay laughing Fan. Did she mistrust?
I felt strangely, sadly wise, as if in five minutes I had grown years older. A thing like this coming into our very midst! Well, among so many girls there would probably be one or two marriages, and who more likely than winsome, beguiling Fanny.
In the valley they were at work. A fire had been kindled and a great tea kettle was swinging in the blaze. Baskets were being unpacked. Table cloths and dishes laid out, and everybody talked at once.
“Rose,” said papa, “I have been looking for you. Miss Oldways wants you to help with the table. Where are Daisy, Lil and Tim?”
“Nelly promised to keep watch and ward to-day;” and with that I shook out my large white kitchen apron which nearly covered the skirt of my dress, and went to work in good earnest.
“I suppose we do enjoy things better when we have to work for them,” said old Mrs. Granby. “We rush round helter skelter, get our puddings shaken up and our nice crisp pie-crust jammed and broken, and eat biscuits that have been spread for three hours, and a bite of cold meat, and after we have gone home to think it over it seems ever so much better than a great dinner.”
“The good-fellowship adds. I never go on a picnic but I think of the Apostles having all things in common;” returned Miss Oldways.
“Yes,” said papa, “they gave of their time and interest, and love, as well. It was not merely a little money. They brought in the whole family and bestowed with the open-handed tenderness that blesses the giver as well.”
I heard snatches of their talk as I ran onward, and snatches of other talk. Here were sandwiches dripping with jelly, that had somehow been upturned in the basket.