"Oh, I do hope that he isn't grown up!" I cried, quickly.
People had such an astonishing way of growing up fast. Why, even Joseph in his pretty new coat in the Bible was not a little boy any longer! And I had always so longed to play with Joseph.
Grandmother did not tell me anything more about the picture. She took it out of my hand, and put it back on the page beside the curl and the faded lilac ring. Then she closed the book tightly; but when I ran into the parlor five minutes later to announce a visitor the picture was out again on her lap.
"Evelyn is coming, grandma!" I cried.
The tall young lady who followed me into the room was grandmother's great friend, and, also, in a way she was mine. I loved her because she was so beautiful; but grandmother loved her because they both liked a man named Frank. He was engaged to Evelyn. I had heard my mother say so.
"Is there any news?" grandmother asked, eagerly.
She had risen out of her chair and looked startled.
Evelyn went up to her with a letter in her hand.
"Frank is quite well," she said, "and very busy. Would you like to see his letter?"
Grandmother hesitated. She almost turned her back upon Evelyn.