“I brought them with me to keep away the ghosts,” she said.
He laughed.
“Well, they are here. I wish they weren’t; but we’ll make the best of it. It doesn’t very much matter. The sooner they get used to me and the situation, the better. If there is any one sufficiently good-natured to foster them we will shift our responsibilities. I am going to monopolise you. I’ve been lonely ever since I said good-bye to you at Coerney.”
He turned and walked beside her up the short path to the stoep.
“I’m glad to have you back,” he said.
John and Mary, staring with round-eyed curiosity at the pair as they advanced, wondered why their aunt looked so shy, and why she coloured suddenly from neck to brow and looked down and spoke softly.
“It’s good to be back,” she replied.
They came to a halt at the steps; and John, remembering his manners, stood up, but continued to stare, unabashed.
“This is John,” Esmé said with greater confidence; and John held out a small, hot hand.
“How d’ye do?” he said, as one man to another.