“Yes, Julie darling,” stifling a sob.
“Why, Hester, what is it? You must not cry, dear. I can’t think what is the matter!”
“I’m a selfish brute, but oh, I’m not really, Julie—not really. I think it is the most beautiful thing!”
“What is ‘the most beautiful thing’?” wondering if the child were losing her mind.
“That he’s been here. I knew it the moment you spoke. As if he’d fail to come!”
“Hester! do you mean you think that I—I—”
Hester nodded.
“But I don’t dear, not the least little bit in the world!”
“Oh, Julie!”
For a moment they clung together. Then Julie gave a hysterical laugh.