The automobile party did not return until late that night, for the moon was full and the roads were fine; and Donald saw to it that Aunt Crete was guarded against any intrusion.
It was at breakfast next morning that Donald told them, and Aunt Crete sat listening with the rapt smile that a slave might have worn as he listened to the reading of the proclamation of emancipation.
“Aunt Carrie,” he began as pleasantly as if he were about to propose that they all go rowing, “Aunt Crete and I have decided to set up a permanent partnership. She has consented to come and mother me. I have accepted a position in my old university, and I am very tired of boarding. I think we shall have a cozy, pleasant home; and we’ll be glad to have you and Luella come and visit us sometimes after we get settled and have some good servants so that Aunt Crete will have plenty of time to take you around and show you the sights. In the meantime, it is very likely that I may have to take a brief trip abroad for the university. If so, I shall probably start in about a week, and before that I want to get a glimpse of the New England coast. I have decided to take Aunt Crete, and run away from you to-day. We leave on the noon train; so there is time for a little frolic yet. Suppose we go down to the board walk, and eat an ice-cream cone. I saw some delicious ones last night that made my mouth water, and we haven’t had that experience yet. We’ll get some rolling chairs so that Aunt Crete won’t be too tired for her journey. Come, Aunt Crete, you won’t need to go up-stairs again, shall you? I told Marie about the packing. It won’t be necessary for you to go back until it’s time for you to change to your travelling-garb.”
In a daze of anger and humiliation Luella and her mother climbed into their double rolling chair, and ate their ice-cream cones sullenly, propelled by a large, lazy colored boy; but Aunt Crete had a chair to herself, and was attended by Donald, who kept up a constant stream of delightfully funny conversation about the people and things they passed that made Aunt Crete laugh until the tears came into her happy eyes.
There was no opportunity for Luella and her mother to talk to Aunt Crete alone, even after they returned to the hotel; for Donald kept himself in evidence everywhere, until at last Luella made bold to declare that she didn’t see why Donald thought he had a right to come and take Aunt Crete away from them, when they had always taken care of her; and her mother added in an injured tone:
“Yes, you don’t seem to realize what a burden it’s been all these years, having to support Crete, and her so childish and unreasonable in a great many ways, and not having any idea of the value of money. I’ve spent a good deal on Crete, take it all in all; and now, when Luella’s going out, and has to have clothes and company, it’s rather hard to have her leave us in the lurch this way, and me with all the work to do.”
“That being the case, Aunt Carrie,” said Donald pleasantly, “I should suppose you’d be very glad to have me relieve you of the burden of Aunt Crete’s support, for it will be nothing but a pleasure to me to care for her the rest of her life. As for what you have spent for her, just run it over in your mind, and I shall be quite glad to re-imburse you. Aunt Crete is really too frail and sweet to have to work any longer. I should think my cousin was almost old enough to be a help to you now, and she looks perfectly strong and able to work.”
Luella flashed a vindictive glance at her cousin, and turned haughtily toward the window; then the porter came for the trunks, and the travellers said a hasty good-by, and flitted.
As Donald shook hands with Luella in parting, he looked merrily into her angry eyes, and said: