"I do like you so much, Uncle Herbert! You quite understand what I mean. I haven't to keep explaining; Andy thinks me quite easy and understandable, he says, but Goody is always saying I amaze her. I've always said I like men better than I do women."
"But you can't and must not like me better than your aunt!" expostulated Colonel Keith. "You don't know what trouble I brought upon her by my hot temper and wicked pride! She has suffered, and yet now has no reproach upon her lips. I'm a bad lot, and she's a saint!"
Harebell did not answer for a minute; then she said solemnly:
"I'll try and like you both the same."
Certainly she found life much gayer now. Her aunt and uncle were much together, and she was left more than ever to her own devices; but when she was with them at meals, her busy tongue was no longer repressed. Her uncle encouraged her to talk, and liked to hear all about her lessons and play. Her aunt's voice was getting softer, her smiles were more frequent. And as for Andy, his old face was radiant with happiness.
"Ah! The good old times have come back," he said to Harebell. "The days of mourning are over for this old house."
The little girl nodded.
"I haven't to hush about the house any more, I can almost make as much noise as they do at the Rectory."
It was not very long before she begged permission from her aunt to go and see Tom Triggs again. Mrs. Keith did not actually refuse her; but she said she must wait. And then one day at the Rectory, Nan informed her that Tom was very nearly well, and was going away from the village altogether. Harebell was much surprised, and rather uneasy.
"Why is he going away? How can he leave his mother? Oh, I must see him, and ask him all about it."