"I'm glad you did," he returned. "Shall we go now?"
"To put up the shades? Can you?"
"If you have the screws and things. I can go."
"What fun to go back and tell Aunt Cam the work is all done. Have you been in our cottage? Don't you think it is perfectly charming?"
"It is a very nice little place. Will your parents be here, too?" he asked after a pause during which he strode by her side with eyes downcast.
"Oh, no. I have no parents."
A smothered exclamation caused her to turn to look at the man. His lips were compressed, his head bent.
"Oh, never mind," said Gwen, gently. "You didn't know of course. There are only Aunt Cam and myself left. I never had any brothers and sisters except one tiny baby brother who died before I was born. I always lived with my grandparents even during my mother's lifetime. Now they are all gone."
The man was silent for a little, then he asked in a queer strained voice, "How long since?"
"I was about six when my mother died. Grandfather did not live long after. Grandmother died about five years ago. Aunt Cam was a teacher in China, in one of the medical missions, but she came back after mother died. I don't know very much about my father's people. Grandmother seldom mentioned them or him. I don't remember him, for he died when I was a baby. I am a kindergarten teacher, but I wasn't well last year, and Aunt Cam insisted upon my giving up a month earlier to come up here to recruit, so I shall have a long rest. Now, Mr. Williams, you have my history." She looked at him expectantly as if inviting a like confidence.