"Oh," said Cuthbert from the other end of the room, "my dear mother, if you go on with that----"
"I can't imagine why they never want to know what they did when they were babies," said Mrs. Leighton, in an innocent manner. She disliked being stopped in any of these reminiscences. Adelaide Maud's eyes danced. "They were so much nicer when they were babies," sighed Mrs. Leighton.
Then she turned round on them all.
"You two girls have been home for an hour or more, and you never asked after your dear father."
Mabel giggled. Jean looked very serious.
Elma said suddenly, "They are hiding something, mummy," and the secret was out.
Mr. Leighton had met them pretty nearly half way. He had travelled with them, and in town had seen them into the train for Ridgetown.
"And he told me," said Mrs. Leighton, "that he had an important meeting which would keep him employed for the better part of the day."
"So he had," said Mabel.
"It's just like John," said Mrs. Leighton to Aunt Katharine. "One might have known he wouldn't stay away from these girls."