A few painful tears trickled between her fingers. But soon she regained her self-control and went indoors.
“Anne, Dick,� she said, “if something had not happened, Mayo would have been back. I’ve stayed here all these hours because he said we must. Now I’m going to look for him.�
“And we are going with you,� Anne exclaimed.
Mrs. Osborne considered a minute. “You’ll be just as safe, I reckon,� she said. “Come on.�
Dick ran ahead and opened the door.
“Oh, Cousin Polly!� he cried. “There are people—two men—coming up the hill. It’s father and——�
“Cousin Giles!� said Anne.
She and Dick ran down the path, followed more slowly by Mrs. Osborne. She did not even hope to see her husband again, and it was with calm misery that she met Red Mayo and Giles Spotswood. At least she would have certainty instead of the terrible suspense of these long hours.
Red Mayo Osborne ran forward and threw his arms around his son and Anne, and kissed first one and then the other.
“Dick, my boy! Anne, dear little Anne! Thank God, you are safe!� exclaimed Red Mayo. “Mayo said you were safe with Polly.�