Mrs. Porter remained quiet, watching the girl's face grow grave.
"It's very wonderful after the city, isn't it?" she asked at last.
"Yes. The noise on the avenue was constant, then the banging and confusion of trains. This is like being born into a new world. I was wondering just now if Father felt that same great contrast and peace when he waked up."
"I'm sure he did," replied Mrs. Porter. She said no more to urge her friend to lie down, but dropped her book and took up some sewing that lay on the table beside her.
Pretty soon Linda came over to the hammock and seated herself on its edge, and at that moment Miss Barry appeared with an armful of neglected bon-bon boxes.
"This is day before yesterday's candy," she announced, "but most of them haven't been opened at all, and any that you don't want will find a market in the neighborhood." The speaker raised her eyebrows significantly.
Mrs. Porter smiled. "Poor little Blanche Aurora, for instance. She's been a good little helper."
"You don't mean to say she hasn't broken dishes."
"Well, not so very many, really. She's been very much excited over your home-coming."
When Jerry came with the trunks, his sea-blue eyes regarded Linda with respectful interest, while he shook hands with her aunt.