“Yes, we have named her Wynnette, and we call her Wynnie. She is not christened yet. We waited for you to come home,” Natalie explained.
They were interrupted by other visitors.
The Rev. Dr. Peters and Mrs. Peters came to welcome their old friends to the neighborhood.
“Three years and three months since you left the neighborhood, madam,” said the rector, when the first greetings were over. “And dear, dear, what changes three years have made! Your two younger daughters have grown so much! Wynnette is a young lady. Elva soon will be one. And Odalite, madam? I hope she is well.”
“Odalite is quite well, thank you, Dr. Peters. She has gone over to Greenbushes, but she will be back to dinner. You and Mrs. Peters, I hope, will give us the happiness of your company for the day,” said the lady.
“Thank you, very much; but on this first day after your return home——”
“Now, doctor, I will take no denial. Wynnette, my love, go and tell Jacob to put up the doctor’s carriage and horse. Mrs. Peters, will you lay off your bonnet here, or will you go to a room?”
“I will go upstairs, if you please, dear. You see I have my cap in this little bandbox,” replied the rector’s wife.
So they had come to stay! And, of course, Mrs. Force knew that well enough when she invited them.
An old couple, like the good rector and his wife, could not be expected to come so long a drive only to make a short call.