"Don't let Miss Bright work too hard," he said, smiling gravely. "She does enough work for five men."
"I shall miss your help," was all she said. But she felt a sudden longing to comfort him. Into her face flashed a look of sympathy. He knew it was for him.
"It almost makes me homesick, Kenneth, to hear you talk of going home," said Mrs. Clayton. "England always will seem home to me," she added, turning to Esther.
"It is a beautiful country to call home," responded the New England girl. "I love England."
They talked till late, Kenneth receiving message after message from them to kindred and friends across the sea.
He rose to go, taking leave of Esther last of all. Then he turned to her with both hands extended. She placed her own in his. He drew her towards him, and without a word, turned and was gone.
Esther withdrew, and Edith and Carla soon followed, leaving John Clayton and his wife seated before the fireplace.
"Well, John!" said the wife.
"Well, my dear?" responded the husband, apparently surmising what was coming.
"Kenneth loves Miss Bright."