“It is a beautiful ending,” said Lettie, in a low tone, looking at the floor.
“It’s all a tale,” said Leslie, soothing the girls.
George waited till Lettie looked at him. She lifted her eyes to him at last. Then each turned aside, trembling.
Marie asked for some of the peonies.
“Give me just a few—and I can tell the others the story—it is so sad—I feel so sorry for him, it was so cruel for him——! And Lettie says it ends beautifully——!”
George cut the flowers with his great clasp knife, and Marie took them, carefully, treating their romance with great tenderness. Then all went out of the garden and he turned to the cowshed.
“Good-bye for the present,” said Lettie, afraid to stay near him.
“Good-bye,” he laughed.
“Thank you so much for the flowers—and the story—it was splendid,” said Marie, “—but so sad!”
Then they went, and we did not see them again.