“Yes, my dear, I can remember,” answered Miss Webster, and she kissed May’s fair face again. “And it is better that you should be known as a married woman.”
“Much better,” said May, and then she left the sisters and retired to her own room to think there and pray for John with all her heart.
The next day, of course, she wished to write to John, but he had told her not to do so unless Miss Webster directed her letter. And it seemed almost too soon to ask Miss Webster to do this. Still she wrote, telling him all her sweet thoughts, and prattling to him on paper as she had done when nestling by his side. This letter would be sent the next day, she decided, after she had added this and that to it. Then after lunch she went out to walk with Miss Eliza, and when they returned they found Ralph Webster sitting in the dining-room with his Aunt Margaret.
Miss Webster had by this time told Ralph Webster that it had been decided that their young guest had for the present to bear the name of “Mrs. John.” Ralph had listened in somewhat grim silence, and when May and Aunt Eliza appeared Miss Webster rose in a little flurry.
“This is Mrs. John, Ralph,” she said, hastily.
Ralph Webster rose quietly and held out his hand.
“How are you, Mrs. John?” he said. “I hear I have to congratulate you.”
“Yes,” answered May, with a charming blush, taking his hand; “I have been married since I saw you last.”
“So my aunt has been telling me. Well, I did not forget the edelweiss, and have three separate packets of it at this moment in my coat pocket which is hanging in the hall.”
May had forgotten about the edelweiss. But she did not tell Mr. Webster this, and accepted her portion of the ice-flower smilingly. She thought he looked graver and older, but supposed he had been working very hard. She said something about this after dinner in the drawing-room, and Ralph Webster admitted it was true.