Linda looked at Berk who smiled back at her understandingly. "Aunt Ri," said the girl, going over and laying her cheek against the gray head, "Verlinda has come to her own in more than one sense." She held out her hand to Berkley who took it and drew it against his heart.
"What?" almost screamed Miss Ri. "You haven't a sweetheart in the city, Berk Matthews? What did I tell you, Verlinda? I knew that Bertie Bryan was making that all up."
"Not exactly, Miss Ri," said Berkley, "for I did give her reason to think so."
"And why did you do it? Just to make Verlinda unhappy?"
"Oh, Aunt Ri," Linda put her hand over the dear lady's lips.
"I did have a sweetheart there, when you were in the city," replied Berk, "and here she is, the only sweetheart for me."
Miss Ri pulled out her handkerchief and began to mop her eyes.
"I'm as glad as I can be," she wept, "but I am tremendously sorry for myself. You will leave me, Verlinda, and you will take Phebe, too. What am I to do?"
"Oh, it will not be for a long, long time from now," said Linda consolingly.