Though generally one of the most undemonstrative of people, Margaret Cummings threw her arms around Josephine and kissed her. Her caress was returned warmly and gratefully.
"We've not had a very long letter from Uncle John," Josephine continued, "because he's coming home almost immediately, and he'll be able to explain all about father then. He says he can do no good by staying at Boulogne; but he's glad he went, for he wouldn't have been satisfied if he hadn't seen father. Do you know, he had to have his photograph taken in different positions, and there were other delays before he could leave England? But when, at last, he reached Boulogne all his difficulties were over, for there he fell in with a French gentleman who could speak English and helped him in every way he could. Wasn't that kind and good of the French gentleman? And he and Uncle John were strangers to each other, too!"
"It seems to me that in these days kindness and goodness are constantly appearing unexpectedly! I am glad Mr. Basset was so fortunate as to meet a friend in need. I suppose Miss Basset is less uneasy about her brother now?"
"Yes, I think so. And, oh, she is so delighted that father is going on well! Fancy! Father was well enough to talk to Uncle John, and he sent me his love and a message which Uncle John didn't write but is keeping to tell me when he gets home."
As governess and pupil entered the house together Miss Basset came out of the dining-room, her face wreathed in smiles; she said that as it was most certainly a red-letter day for them all she hoped Miss Cummings would have no objection to taking a holiday, and added that she was going into Midbury herself and would drive her home.
"Thank you, Miss Basset, that will be very kind of you," the governess answered, adding earnestly: "I cannot tell you how deeply glad I am that you have had such cheering news."
Oh, that was a happy holiday! Josephine and May spent the morning in the garden amongst the roses; and in the afternoon they went for a long walk, returning through Durley Dell, where they sat for an hour on a mossy bank in the shade of a beech tree, and talked.
"Perhaps I may bring father here one day before long," Josephine said softly, "for Aunt Ann says of course he will come to the Glen as soon as he is convalescent. Oh, I hope he will come before the roses are gone! He will so love to see them! I remember his telling me once that the Glen roses were the most beautiful he had ever seen."
On their way home from Durley Dell they called for a few minutes at Vine Cottage to inquire for Mrs. Rumbelow. The old women had heard from Jane that Captain Basset had been wounded, and received the news that he was doing well with so much pleasure that Josephine was deeply touched by the feeling she showed, and determined that, if all went well, some time she would take her father to see her.
Next day Mr. Basset arrived at home. He reached the Glen in a cab from Midbury railway station about six o'clock in the evening. Miss Basset had received a telegram in the morning saying at what time she was to expect him, so she was waiting at the front door with May and Josephine to greet him on his arrival.