“She was down stairs to-day for the first time.”
“Eletheer really intends to be a nurse,” Celeste said, “but it must make one become morbid to see so much suffering.”
“It will never have that effect upon Eletheer,” Hernando said gravely.
“Eletheer is eccentric. She always selected her associates from among such queer people. Mary Genung is the only nice girl she cares anything about.” Here Celeste laughed and continued calmly, “Let me name a few of her friends: Father Perry, Uncle Mike, the Dugans, every one of the miners, Pat McGinn, Doctor Brinton and Mary Genung.”
Hernando could not resist laughing. “Am I not among them?” he said, sobering instantly.
“You,” and her laugh was infectious. “She seems to have adopted you. Some one made a remark about you which she interpreted as disparaging, and he must have felt uneasy under her sarcasm.”
“She is very loyal to those she cares for.”
“And those whom she dislikes know it.”
Elisha had seen them coming from the piazza and met them at the gate. How tenderly he drew Celeste’s arm within his own and what a world of devotion was pictured in his honest face. Hernando watched them go. Once Celeste looked back. He was smelling the arbutus she had given him.