“Faith, that’s why I didn’t listen,” he responded promptly, as he bowed over the dainty fingers.
Dorothea’s welcome was more cordial than she was aware and as the tall young Irishman looked down into her eyes he could have little doubt that she was glad to see him. The girl herself would have given a good deal to know what was going on behind his humorous, twinkling eyes, and began to realize, now that he was back, that she had missed him more than she had thought.
“And what has brought you out of the clouds after all this time?” demanded Miss Imogene a little later.
“The same old thing,” he replied with a reckless laugh. “Horses! They’re mighty useful, you know, when it comes to fighting and we’re going to have our fill of that or I’m an Orangeman!”
At his words April popped her head out of the window.
“Is this our brave Captain Tracy come to threaten us,” she laughed gayly.
She stood inside holding out her hand to the young man, who took it eagerly. “I’m mighty glad to see you,” she went on, her tones warm and friendly.
“And I’m glad to be back even for a little while,” he answered.
“What is the news from Richmond?” April asked a moment later.
Tracy shook his head doubtfully.