"Oh, but my dear, a great deal has come into yours, hasn't it?"
"Yes, of course, but my every moment now, sleeping and waking is filled with anxiety."
"I know what that means, for I have been anxious, too. It was so uncertain about Terry's eyes."
"And he is coming for Christmas, you say?"
"Yes, we expect him, and, Lillian, I am so bothered about that first moment of recognition. It would be so awkward if everyone should happen to be right there, and how in the world can I manage to see him alone for those first few moments?"
"If I see him coming before Granny does I will get her out of the way, into the greenhouse. She is always perfectly safe in there pottering over the plants."
"You are a dear. We will have to be on the watch."
Lillian laughed. "There is no fear but that you will be," she returned.
But as it happened neither one of the girls saw Terrence arrive, for he came in the morning when even the blue dress was a thing not suitable to be worn at that hour. Anita and her mother were busy in trying on the Asturian costume which they were making Pepé. Lillian was out with the dogs, and so it was Aunt Manning who received the visitor. She sent Tibbie up to say who had called and Anita was aghast. It was not turning out as she had planned, not at all.
"What shall I do?" she cried. "I cannot go down, and meet him before Aunt Manning, no, I cannot. You go, mother, and I will stay up here. I shall wait till I can see him alone; I shall have to do that."