"I'll stay as long as you want me, ma'am, and you need have no fears," said the woman who was sincerely attached to her charge, and who was aware that her devotion received ample recognition.
On her way to her own room, Joyce met two embarrassed and happy people waiting to waylay her with their news.
"Take us into your room for a little while, do, there's a darling, we've so much to tell you!"
Joyce was hustled into her own room by her little sister with Jack's big form looming in the rear, and the wonderful tale was told and her congratulations solicited.
"Of course I saw it coming," said Joyce kissing them both. "You were like ostriches with your heads in the sand——"
"In the clouds, rather. I have been seeing a little bit of heaven, Mrs. Meredith," said Jack.
"Now please come back to earth, and tell me your plans, for I have decided to join my husband as soon as it is possible to get a passage."
"You?—with Baby?" from Kitty.
"No. Baby must stay behind."
"Then that was what gave you a headache? You ought to be ashamed of yourself to have a headache at the prospect of going back to Ray!" Kitty teased.