Mrs. Force then turned to receive young Dr. Ingle, who had just driven up in his gig and was now entering the front door, while old Jake took his equipage around to the stables.
Half an hour later dinner was served. And, in spite of all drawbacks, it proved a happy reunion of old friends.
After dinner the carriages were ordered, and the visitors departed.
CHAPTER XXVI
LE’S DEPARTURE
One day Le spent in going around the neighborhood to see the old friends and neighbors, whom he had not seen for more than three years. The next day he stayed home at Mondreer, and spent nearly the whole of it in company of Odalite.
At night the squire drove him to the railway station, accompanied by Odalite, Wynnette and Elva, as once before. Also, Le was permitted to sit on the back seat beside Odalite, and when there he held her hand in his as on the previous occasion.
They reached the railway station in such good time that they had about fifteen minutes to wait in the little sitting room; and there the last adieus were made, when the train came in.
“It is not for a three years’ absence at sea this time, my dear! It is scarcely for three weeks. Before the middle of May I shall be with you again—please Heaven,” said Le, as he pressed Odalite to his heart in a last embrace, before he jumped into the car to be whirled out of sight.
Mr. Force with his daughters waited until the sound of the rushing train died away in the distance, and then took them back to the carriage and drove homeward.
Again, as before, they reached home about ten o’clock, to find Mrs. Force and the lady from the diggings waiting up for them—only on this occasion they were not sitting over a blazing hickory wood fire, in the dead of winter and night, with a jug of mulled wine steaming on the hearth; but they were sitting on the front piazza, on a fine spring evening, with a little table, on which was arranged a pitcher of iced sherbet, with glasses and a plate of wafer cakes.