"Postscript.—I have some strange news to tell you which I can not trust upon paper. I also expect a new inmate in the family. I will explain when you come. E."
Laura folded her letter and put it into her pocket for the present.
"They want you to come back, I suppose," said Uncle John, testily.
"I will show you the letter presently, uncle, so you can read and judge for yourself," said Laura, with a smile.
"Well, all I say is this: if they want you to come back want will be their master. For they can't have you; so there now! I don't mean to let you leave us until you are obliged to go back to school. I don't that!" said John, nodding his big red head.
"Did you know Mrs. Grey had left Blue Cliffs?" sorrowfully inquired Mr. Kyte.
"Yes. Emma has written to me about her departure. When did she go?"
"Early this morning. When I got to the house I was very much disappointed at not seeing her, and beyond measure astonished to hear that she had started that very morning to Wendover, to catch the first train to the city, en route for Charlottesville. She will be a great loss to the domestic circle at Blue Cliffs, I think."
"And who the mischief is Mrs. Grey?" inquired the sorely puzzled Uncle John.