"Splendidly. They are all dears—especially Ruthie. But it is because of her I am worried."
"Indeed?"
"She and Luke have become very friendly—oh, entirely too friendly, if nothing is to come of it."
Aunt Lorena dearly loved a romance. Her eyes began to sparkle and a faint flush came into her withered cheek.
"You don't mean it, Sissy!" she gasped. "Not our Luke? The dear boy! Think of his having a sweetheart!"
"Oh, but I don't know that he has one! I am afraid he ought not even to think of it!" cried Cecile.
"Nonsense! Why not? Your father was married when he was no older than Luke. And of course the dear boy would wait till he graduates."
"And for a long time after, I fear," said Cecile, shaking her head. She really saw the folly of such an idea much more quickly than Aunt Lorena.
"Is this Ruth Kenway a nice girl?" queried Aunt Lorena eagerly. "And is Luke actually fond of her?"
"As fond as he can be I do believe," admitted the sister, still shaking her head.