For a moment she sat very still, looking about her in bewilderment.
“Oh—oh!” she exclaimed, and again: “O-o-h!”
She jumped up from her comfortable wicker chair and ran to the bedroom door. She opened it softly. There in their little cribs, sound asleep, were Elinor and Howard. She looked about the room once more and sighed contentedly. Yes, here she was in her own wonderful little kitchen. She picked up the book she had been reading and which had dropped to the floor and placed it on the table. She looked at it, and turned with a shudder.
The door opened quietly, and Hugh tiptoed in.
“Why darling!” he whispered, mindful of the babies. “Up yet? It’s after twelve o’clock.”
With a little scream of delight, Marjorie ran to him and threw herself into his arms.
“Hugh! Oh Hugh, darling!” she exclaimed breathlessly. Again and again she kissed him. “Dearest—sweetheart! Is it you?”
“Why, honey girl!” Hugh laughed as he held her in his arms. “If this is the reception I receive after being away a few hours, I think I’ll have to go somewhere and stay a week.”
“You are my own sweetheart, aren’t you, Hugh?” She pinched his arms, and felt of his shoulders and chest.
“Of course, I am! What’s the matter with you, dear?” He shook her gently. “I’ve never seen you act this way before?”