After a moment Suzanna continued: "And my dear, dear Drusilla set off on a far journey and didn't come back. And Graham cried, and went away for a long time, and Bartlett Villa was closed. But they've come back now and it's open again. And David and Daphne are quite well, thank you. And Mrs. Reynolds has two little children of her own."
"I'm so glad," said Robert's wife. "You're a very happy little girl, then, aren't you, dear?"
"Oh, very happy," said Suzanna. "I love so many people, you see. And I have a sister, Maizie, who was once smiled upon by a very great Man." Her listener was puzzled, but she asked no questions. It didn't seem to her the right moment to ask an explanation. Some day she would. But Suzanna told the story of Maizie's rare selection, dwelling upon it with a degree of wondrous awe, for she believed the story now. It stood so clear to her, so real, that it had a fine influence upon her inner life. Often when swift anger surged through her, anger directed against the little sister, she brought to bear a strong control, as she remembered Maizie's great awakening.
She returned to her surroundings in a moment. "I must be going, Miss Massey. I wish you'd come to see us. We've got a lovely new rug in the front room and mother has two new dresses for herself. She is awfully pretty in them."
"I certainly shall come to visit you," Miss Massey promised, kissing the little girl.
Suzanna ran downstairs. She did not stop at the library, fearing she would reach home late for luncheon.
But she was just in time to set the table. Her father had not yet arrived. Mother, of course, was there and with an eager face full of news, delightful news, Suzanna guessed.
"Suzanna, dear, what do you think? Mrs. Graham Woods Bartlett was here during your absence."
"To visit us, mother? Oh, tell me all about it," Suzanna cried.
"She wants to take you and Maizie and Peter to the seashore for a whole month. There, Suzanna! What do you think of that?"