“Glad to come home, child?” the man asked.
She squeezed his hand lovingly.
“I’m so glad I’d like to do what Wiggles is doing,” she said. “I feel as if I’d been away two months instead of two weeks.”
“Make it two years,” he amended. “That’s the length of time I’ve spent missing you. What did I do before you happened to me, Peg?”
“You needed seeing to. Gracious! You’ve been doing something to the house!”
He looked just a trifle embarrassed, doubtful.
“See here, Peg,” he said bluntly. “I never did like your trotting back and forth night and morning and looking after Mrs. Benderby at all sorts of unearthly hours.”
“That doesn’t hurt me,” she protested.
“Well, it hurt me and things are different now. I didn’t tell you about Mrs. Benderby because I thought it might worry you, but Dr. Fullerton says she has to stop going out by the day.—Not seriously ill, you know, but she’ll have to let up on very hard work.”
“Oh, dear, isn’t that dreadful.” Pegeen’s eyes were flooded with anxiety. “Isn’t it lucky I’ve got some money? The rent’s seven dollars and then meals—but I’ll have plenty this summer and then maybe she’ll be better, and—”