"Perhaps you'll bring him another time," said Almira. "I'd like to tell him we appreciate his present."
Ora followed Gwen to the door. "I know now why you understood," she said in a low voice. "I hope you'll be very, very happy."
"Oh, Ora, we must wait a long while, and no one knows yet, not even my aunt, so please—"
"I won't mention it, but I know, and I'm glad he did that picture. I'm glad he's the one, for he must be good and kind to think of bringing it. I can't tell you what it means to have it."
This was saying a great deal, and Gwen knew it meant more than extravagant thanks from some others. She kissed the girl's pale cheek and went out into the bright sunlight.
"Shall we go home by the rocks?" asked Kenneth, coming forward.
"No, I don't want to look at the sea to-day," Gwen told him. Then she gave him the messages from the two women she had just left, and they talked softly of the picture as they walked along.
Further on they met Ethel Fuller. "We're going to-morrow," she said. "Aunt Harriet wanted to go long ago, and she's sorry now we didn't leave yesterday. It is dreadful to be in a house where there is such trouble, and we can't do a thing. I'm quite ready myself to go now. We shall stop in Boston for a few days."
Gwen smiled. "And Mr. Mitchell?"
"He is going to-morrow, too. He gave up his trip to Bar Harbor, after all." Ethel looked exultant.