"I thought you was old," observed Benny. "And awf'ly cross. Jess said so."
"I didn't know, Benny," said Jess turning pink. To think of running away from this kind friend!
But her grandfather did not seem to mind. He stroked her short silky hair and proposed that they all go up into Violet's room with the moonflowers. There was no stopping Benny. He rushed into Violet's room, dragging his grandfather by one hand, and shouting, "It's Grandfather, Violet, and he's nice, after all, I shouldn't wonder!"
When Violet at last understood just what Benny was trying to tell, she was perfectly happy to rest against her ruffled pillows with one hand curled about her grandfather's arm, and listen to the rest.
"Where have you been living?" demanded Mr. Cordyce at last.
The whole company looked at each other, even Dr. McAllister and his mother. Then they all laughed as if they never would stop.
"You just ought to see!" observed Dr. McAllister, wiping his eyes.
"What?" said the children all at once. "You never saw it in the daytime!"
"You don't mean it!" returned the doctor, teasing them. "I have seen it quite a number of times in the daytime."
"Seen what, in heaven's name?" asked Mr. Cordyce at last.