"N-no, and we want to begin soon. She'll be back Friday, I think,"
Pauline answered.
By Wednesday night the spare room was ready for the expected guest. "It's as if someone had waved a fairy wand over it, isn't it?" Patience said delightedly. "Hilary'll be so surprised."
"I think she will and—pleased." Pauline gave one of the cushions in the cozy corner a straightening touch, and drew the window shades—Miranda had taken them down and turned them—a little lower.
"It's a regular company room, isn't it?" Patience said joyously.
The minister drove over to The Maples himself on Friday afternoon to bring Hilary home.
"Remember," Patience pointed a warning forefinger at him, just as he was starting, "not a single solitary hint!"
"Not a single solitary one," he promised.
As he turned out of the gate. Patience drew a long breath. "Well, he's off at last! But, oh, dear, however can we wait 'til he gets back?"