When he took his seat at the tea-table that night Kate came behind him and kissed the top of his head, an unusual mark of affection, for they were an undemonstrative couple in general.
“Dear old Hughie,” she said, “you have given delight to more than one person.”
“I believe I have, K,” he said genially.
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CHAPTER X
ANNA ENJOYS ILL-HEALTH
“Anna,” said Miss Bibby, with happy eyes the next morning, “I am going to take a whole holiday to-day.”
“An’ about time,” said Anna, “I’ve been wonderin’ how long you could keep it up, Miss Bibby. You’ve not had one yet, and me half a dozen. I don’t have half as much to do with those childerun as you, but if I didn’t get away from them sometimes I’d get hysterics.”
“I am sure they are very good children—wonderfully good, Anna,” said Miss Bibby.
“Oh yes, they’re good enough,” said Anna, “but so uncommon lively. And talk! They keeps it up, one after the other, and sometimes all four at a time, till your head spins round like a top. I got quite giddy goin’ down to the waterfall with them yesterday, and it wasn’t the steps, neither, it was just their tongues going at it, clackerty-clack all the time. What time will you be back, Miss Bibby?”