Roma accepted their invitation to spend the day, by doing which she knew that she would be able to write a longer and fuller account to the absent son.
She found—what, indeed, she had known before—that they were all very proud and fond of Tim.
Roma returned home by sunset, and after tea spent the evening in writing a very long letter to Mr. Toomie and two very short ones to Mrs. Gray and Abbot Elde.
When she had finished and sealed these epistles she rang the bell, and gave them to Puck, to be taken to the post office early in the morning. Then she went to bed.
During the remainder of the week her neighbors began to call on her, to welcome her back to her home.
They had all heard from Dr. Shaw of the terrible wrong that had been attempted against her in the felonious marriage, and tendered their hearty congratulations on her escape from danger.
“Our young men threaten to lynch him,” said Dr. Keech, “and although at my age, and with my profession, which is to save life and not to destroy it, I would not assist at such a ceremony, neither would I utter a word or lift a finger to prevent it.”
Roma was certainly comforted by the hearty sympathy of her neighbors, though she did wish that it had been silent and not clamorous.
At church, the next Sunday, she saw Dr. Shaw again and begged him to call on her as early in the week as he conveniently could do so, as she wished to consult him again. He promised to come on the next morning, adding that Monday was always his least busy day.
So, early on the next morning, the good minister made his appearance at Goblin Hall. It was one of the fine days of the fitful April weather—warm enough for June. Roma was seated on the front piazza, with Ducky Darling at her feet, playing on the broken musical box.