Melina guessed the "something" her grandmother had gone to fetch from the kitchen had been drink, but she did not say so; and her father abruptly changed the conversation by remarking:
"I have been thinking that I cannot let you stay here much longer. It has been most kind of the Browns to keep you so long; but there is room for you in the house where I am lodging, and—"
"Oh, I should love to be with you, father!" Melina broke in.
He smiled and looked pleased. "I had intended to stay a month or so in England," he said, "but now—well, not having found things as I expected has made me alter my plans."
"You will go back to Canada soon, you mean?" Melina's voice sounded anxious and subdued.
"Yes. I've done very well there—I have all along. I laboured on a new railway first of all, then I got a post on a farm, and afterwards a friend entered into partnership with me and we took some land for ourselves. My partner's looking after everything during my absence, so he's pretty busy—he'll be glad to get me back."
"Yes. I—I expect so," agreed Melina.
Her father looked at her questioningly, for the expression of her face was troubled. "I daresay you will be sorry to leave your friends in Hawstock," he said, "but—"
"Father, father!" interrupted the little girl excitedly, "do you mean that I am to go with you? Oh, do you really mean that?"
"Why, most certainly I do. You did not think I should leave you behind me, did you? I want my little daughter—"