“Of course she may not come back at all, Elsa,” Ruth Warren felt obliged to say.
To this Elsa made no reply; but she asked, in a rather choked voice: “Did you find out where Bettina is now?”
“No, Elsa,” Miss Ruth answered gently. She felt very sorry for Elsa’s disappointment, but she did not wish in any way to interfere with Mrs. Danforth’s plan for the child.
Ben, perched upon the front seat, was beginning to look as if he had on a white fur coat. They were just driving along Washington Avenue, approaching the Warren house, when Elsa exclaimed rapturously: “Uncle Ned! O, there is my Uncle Ned!”
A tall, broad-shouldered man, who was strolling by in leisurely fashion, looked up and then stepped quickly toward the sleigh as Ben stopped his horse in front of the Warrens’ house. Elsa was out in a flash, and the tall man was bending over, soothing the child who clung to him so passionately.
“SOOTHING THE CHILD WHO CLUNG TO HIM SO PASSIONATELY.”
“Uncle Ned! When did you come?” Elsa asked between laughter and tears.
“Less than an hour ago. I reached the house only a few moments before your grandmother was telephoning about you.”
“I am so glad, now, that I came home,” cried the child, still clinging to him as if she could hardly believe her happiness in really having him here.