A girl ran forward from behind this table and clasped Carlos in her closest embrace. For a moment, he did not recognize her. The golden curls which had always been simply brushed, then left to nature’s will, were now put back in a rigid little braid that completely altered the child’s appearance. Her picturesque garments had been replaced by a blue print frock, ugly in shape and color; while the clumsy skirt which draped her limbs gave them an awkwardness of movement most unlike the hitherto graceful Carlota.
But it was she; and with her soft clinging arms about his neck and her sunshiny smile greeting him, the lad realized that the world was not yet empty of all he had held dear and familiar.
Jack looked on, amazed by this rapturous embrace between the twins. In that household expressions of sentiment were rare, save on the mother’s part toward little Teddy. She idolized him, and it was he—sleeping rosy and tumbled in his “trundle,” whom she had shown to Carlota, at bedtime, as “the prettiest sight in the world.”
But—kiss a girl? A boy—a sister? “Whe-e-ew!” said master Jack, and whistled so loudly that the twins loosed their arms and looked at him in surprise that was tinged with alarm. Their experience of yesterday had left them both apprehensive of what might happen next.
“What’s the matter?” asked Carlos. Then, since no answer came, he crossed to where Mrs. Burnham was dipping mush from a kettle and gravely bowed over the hand she kindly extended.
“Good morning, Madam. I hope you have rested well.”
In her surprise, the poor lady nearly dropped the dish of hot “suppawn.” She had already been touched and gladdened by the earlier civilities of Carlota. They reminded her of a past that was widely different from the present, and of a time when she, too, had had time for the small amenities of life. But to have the lad, also, remember to be courteous sent a faint flush to her cheek and a grateful warmth to her heart.
“Thank you, yes. Fairly well. And you?”
Jack could no longer whistle. He had to sit down in order to properly recognize this “airish” gentlewoman who had stepped into his mother’s shoes, and he sat thus, staring, when Carlota discovered him. She went directly to him and offered her hand in greeting, saying:
“Good morning, Jack. Teddy has told me all about you and what a splendid brother you are. I’m sorry I called you a bad boy, last night, but I thought you were going to—to kill my brother.”