“That is true,” the reply was sadly given. “Aunt Dorinda never knew that my father was not—well, not what a husband should be to the best woman in the world. It was because of his unworthiness that Mumsie took back her maiden name.”
“I remember that my mother wrote everywhere that she could possibly hope to find her sister, but the letters were always returned, unopened. Sometimes on them would be stamped: ‘Name not in directory,’ and so my mother, grieving over the loss of my father, was even more saddened by the fear that she had also lost her sister. Broken in health and with very little money, we went to England where I tried to work a small farm. I learned a lot about it, and liked it tremendously, but mother longed to get back to her home country. It was at that time that my father’s brother sent us money for our passage, asking us to visit him until my mother had regained her strength. The very thought that she might hear what had happened to her sister made it possible for mother to undertake the voyage, but now—” The lad, visibly affected turned away. Eleanor slipped her hand over his.
“Dear cousin,” she said softly, “I have a feeling, deep in my heart, that somehow, someway, all is to be well. Let’s keep hoping until we know.”
They could say no more as the mainland dock had been reached. Virginia had glanced at Winston and realizing that he and Eleanor wished to converse alone, she had kept the others interested and occupied. Then as they all landed, Betsy Clossen exclaimed: “Why, if here isn’t that little red feather that led us into all this—this—what shall I call it?”
“A very wonderful something.” It was Eleanor who spoke. “For, because of it, my dear cousins have been rescued.”
“I’m glad it all happened just as it did,” Virginia said. Then turning to Benjy and his two companions, she held out her hand, adding: “I’m going to be a self-appointed spokesman and thank you on behalf of us all for your great kindness. Will you return with us to Vine Haven?”
“Rather, I am going to suggest that you accompany us to the village which is reached much more easily, as the road beyond the cliff leads directly there, and then we will take the next train back to Drexel, while you can telephone for the school bus to come after you.”
This really excellent suggestion was acted upon. When the station was reached, Benjy suggested that Winston accompany the three boys. One of them, Jack Dennison, being the same build as the stranded youth, quietly offered to loan him clothes until he could procure for himself the things he needed.
“From there,” he told Eleanor, “I shall go directly to Boston in search of my mother as that was the port where the boat hoped to put in to await calmer seas.”
“And little Peggy shall go to Vine Haven with me.” The small girl looked up happily and nestled confidingly close to her new-found relative.