“Well, I don’t see as you’ve changed much,” he said kindly.
“Haven’t I? Why, seems as if I must look changed a lot,” chirruped Jane. “I’m so rested, and Fred and Sally were so good to me! Why, they tried not to have me do a thing--and I didn’t do much, only a little puttering around just to help out with the work.”
“Hm-m,” murmured Edgar. “Well, I’m glad to see you’re--rested.”
Julia met them in the hall of the beautiful Brookline residence. Lined up with her were the four younger children, who lived at home. They made an imposing array, and Jane was visibly affected.
“Oh, it’s so good of you--to meet me--like this!” she faltered.
“Why, we wished to, I’m sure,” returned Mrs. Pendergast, with a half-stifled sigh. “I hope I understand my duty to my guest and my sister-in-law sufficiently to know what is her due. I did not allow anything--not even my committee meeting to-day--to interfere with this call for duty at home.”
Jane fell back. All the glow fled from her face.
“Oh, then you did stay at home--and for me! I’m so sorry,” she stammered.
But Mrs. Pendergast raised a deprecatory hand.
“Say no more. It was nothing. Now come, let me show you to your room. I’ve given you Ella’s room, and put Ella in Tom’s, and Tom in Bert’s, and moved Bert upstairs to the little room over--”