"I like Tom very much," Harebell answered her eagerly. "And when Aunt Diana comes back I'll beg her with tears to let me go and see him, and I'll find him a wife as quick as ever I can!"
"A wife?" screamed the old woman. "You let my Tom be! What do he want a wife for? He have a good home, and there isn't a girl in this village who'd do him aught but harm. Idle worthless hussies they be! Go on with you! A wife, indeed!"
Harebell looked frightened. She said good-bye and slipped away. Miss Triggs said in a whisper to her:
"Never you mind mother, dear. She don't mean to be rude, but she don't take kindly to a wife for Tom, and I can't say he ought to have one, unless his heart gets changed, and his life too!"
Harebell went back to the Rectory slowly and thoughtfully, but when she found Peter and Nan had put up a swing in the orchard, and were enjoying themselves upon it, she joined them gleefully. They forgot their squabble, and she was a happy light-hearted child again.
The return of her aunt was the next event. Mrs. Garland kept her till after the arrival, and when Harebell went home the next day, the whole house seemed to have altered its ways.
There was a man's coat and hat in the hall. A strange man-servant was sitting in the pantry talking to Andy. A little cheerful bustle pervaded the house. There was a smell of tobacco in the morning-room. Two or three newspapers and pipes lay on the table.
Mrs. Keith came out of the drawing-room to greet Harebell. The child was so startled at the difference in her aunt's face that all fear of her vanished. Putting up her slim little arms, she clasped her round the neck.
"Your ice has gone!" she exclaimed. "Oh, I'm so very glad!"
And Mrs. Keith did not stare, or frown, or reprove her coldly for such words. She looked tired, but very happy, and there was a light and softness in her eyes that had never been there before. "Would you like to see your uncle? You must be very quiet, as he is quite an invalid at present. But I have told him about you. Come this way."