“An old gentleman gave Dolly sweets!”
“My father,” said Erica, smiling.
“And who helped you up the beach?” asked Gladys.
“A plitty lady did,” said Dolly.
“Was it this lady, do you think?” said Donovan, indicating Erica.
Dolly trotted round with her dear little laughing face to make the scrutiny.
“I fink vis one is plittier,” she announced. Whereupon every one began to laugh.
“The most charming compliment I ever heard!” said Leslie Cunningham. “Dolly ought to be patted on the back.”
Erica smiled and colored; but as she looked again at Donovan and little Dolly, her thoughts wandered away to that June day in the museum when they had been the parable which shadowed forth to her such a wonderful reality. Truly, there were links innumerable between her and Donovan.
Leslie Cunningham seemed as if he intended to stay forever; however, every one was quite content to sit out on the lawn talking and watching the children at their play. It was one of those still, soft September evenings when one is glad of any excuse to keep out of doors.