"Oh, forgive me! What would Sidney say? I promised her I would try to control my tongue."
Then, as Austin's long legs outwalked her, she called out:
"All right, then. You need not think I am going to run by your side. You're much more disagreeable than when you went away."
Austin looked back, and raised his cap.
"I prefer sugar to vinegar. You won't keep any friends with that tongue of yours."
And Jockie walked home humbly, for she felt the truth of his words.
Austin had a warm welcome from his parents. His mother corroborated much of what Jockie had told him, but her plain dignified statements had more effect upon him than Jockie's bitterness. Early the next morning he went down to The Anchorage to see Sidney. It cost him some effort, but he knew that he must meet Mrs. Urquhart soon, and wanted the first plunge to be over.
He came across her in the garden giving directions to the gardeners. She was looking as sweet as ever, and greeted him with perfect ease.
"So glad to see you back. Your father has been wanting you badly. What do you think of the sunny East?"
"Oh, tolerable! Is Sidney in? I'm awfully upset over the Admiral's death, and came down to see her."