It was some days before the children knew the result of that interview. They were all three tidying up their "Bethel," which Miss Webb said now reminded her of a small church-yard, when they saw their sister and Mr. Arnold slowly approach them.
They were close to the fence before they noticed the children, then Mona started, a rich colour came into her cheeks and she tried to withdraw her hand from Mr. Arnold's arm. He held it fast, and said to her with a twinkle in his eye—
"Allow me to receive my congratulations. I must enlighten them."
"Two trespassers again, Jill!" he called out. "May we come inside your gate?"
"Yes," said Jill, stopping in her feat of brushing dead leaves away; "you and Mona aren't trespassers, for you belong to our Tenth Society, and you don't laugh at our 'Bethel.'"
"Laugh at it?" said Mona tremulously. "I shall bless it all my days!"
Then Mr. Arnold spoke, and his voice was hushed and reverent, though there was a glad light in his eye.
"I thought you children would like to know whom God has graciously given to me as a wife."
"Why it's Mona!"