The telegram lay there to say that Miss Annie had died.
CHAPTER XXVII
The Home-Coming
Mr. Leighton departed from his first feelings of hurry where Mabel and Jean were concerned, and delayed their home coming till Elma was in a condition not to be retarded by any extra excitement.
They drove away at last from the club early in the morning, so that they had the entire house to see them off. It was very nearly as bad as leaving Ridgetown.
"I shall not be able to walk past your door for some days," said one red-haired girl. "Oh, don't I know that feeling?"
She was compelled to stay in London, with only a fortnight's holiday in summer time.
"I shall send you forget-me-nots by every post," said Jean. "You'll be in love with the new girl in a week."
"I won't," said the red-haired girl.
They had gifts from all of the girls stowed away somewhere. What a morning! Even the hall porter showed signs of dejection at their going.