"No," said Rowena, "you have got Mysie's affection. Nothing matters when that is won."
Then General Macdonald told her he was going over to Ireland with his friend for a visit.
"And we'll send him back ten years younger," said the cheery Colonel. "He wants to laugh more and think less. We're not given to deep thinking in Ireland."
They did not stay long. As they walked away from the house, Colonel Cavanagh said:
"I'd soon lose my heart to that woman. Why, hasn't she bucked you up, old chap? The very look of her does one good. It's amazing how a woman on her back can get so much fun out of life."
"I'm very fond of Miss Arbuthnot," said General Macdonald, in his simple way. "We have been good chums since I came back, and my small daughter adores her."
Colonel Cavanagh looked at his friend with a spark of amusement in his eye.
"Ah, well, she's not dangerous, down on her back. If she were up and about, it would be a different matter."
General Macdonald said nothing. He would not be drawn. Mysie came over to wish Rowena good-bye; and there were some tears shed.
"Of course, I'm not a baby," she said valiantly; "and Dad says I shall be home for Christmas, and he'll be here too, but I feel as if I'm going to be a prisoner now. And if it gets beyond bearing, I shall run away. I know I shall, and then what will happen?"