Major Crawford found them in a close embrace when he returned.
“Oh,” the wife began, eagerly, “we have been planning some pleasures so we shall not feel Willard’s loss too keenly. You must teach Marguerite to ride and to play chess and we will read the old poets. Some of them are so charming. Why it will seem as if we had gone in an enchanted country—the Forest of Arden.”
How bright and smiling she was! He kissed her and then sat down on the other side of Marguerite. He had been afraid he would find her in sore need of comfort.
Aunt Kate came in presently.
“Zaidee has fallen asleep,” she said. “She was completely unnerved by the parting. Her feelings are so strong, her love has such depths to it, so I have been soothing her to comparative tranquility. You will not miss this one good-night.”
“We shall all miss the boy very much, and he will return to us a man of full stature. I think we can trust him to return as true and honorable as when he went away. Yes, he and Zaidee have been together a great deal this last six months and she will miss him sorely.”
“But there will be school and new interests,” said the mother. “We must see Mrs. Barrington and make some future arrangements. Why in May the girls will be sixteen!”
“Sixteen!” re-echoed their father. “Let us have them set back.”
“Oh no,” cried Marguerite, “rather let us stay just here. I should like to make two days of every one. I am afraid no day will be long enough.”
Miss Crawford turned away. The others resumed their talk and she heard their joyous voices. “Poor Zay! Poor Willard!” she said, under her breath.