“Perhaps you could be; all the same I don’t like to think of you in the city alone. If you could go to the Austins, or if that nice Mr. Barstow were still living and could watch over you, I wouldn’t so much mind.”
“If that dear man were living, probably I wouldn’t have the means to go, unless I found some sort of position. Don’t worry about me, Cousin Rindy, if that’s all that keeps you from accepting.”
“To be sure it would be a great experience and give me a chance to see that part of the country, and I don’t have to stay, even if Albert does pay my fare, for I shall not promise to remain there for more than a year. After that we shall see what happens.”
So at last the matter was settled, the proposition was accepted, and Miss Rindy was to be gone a year. The Dove-Hales had some friends who were eager to rent Miss Crump’s house, furnished, and there was much to be done before the first of February, when the occupants decided to leave.
Caro dissolved in tears when she heard the news. Jeremy heaved a sigh and shook his head. “My little song bird is leaving her nest. I fear she will not come back to it,” he said.
Then one day appeared Reed. “I just had to come,” he said as Ellen greeted him at the door. “It’s all over but the shouting, and I knew you would want to know. Besides,” he added after a short pause, “I just had to see you; couldn’t stand it any longer. Why, it’s been nearly three months, Cronette, and my patience is stretched to the breaking point. Glad to see me?”
“Indeed I am,” Ellen assured him. “Well, how did it go?”
“Better than I expected. We sold more than half for fair prices. Those at the auction didn’t bring what we could wish, but we still have a number in reserve which I shall place from time to time at some of the big galleries, so eventually we shall realize a pretty decent sum. Are you satisfied, my dear co-heir?”
“Perfectly. I think you have managed excellently.”
“They say artists don’t usually have much business sense, but I really believe I shall develop some. I don’t know how it would be if I had to handle my own wares, probably I might fall down on such transactions, but given the proper incentive I believe I could put it over.” He beamed down upon her, and she gave him smile for smile, aware that it was good to see his tall figure, to look into his clear, honest eyes, and was surprised when a sudden desire to stroke his hair came over her. It was queer that she felt so, and suddenly her eyes fell before his steady gaze.