“How happy they are going to be,” she said, “I am glad for them both.”
“We were wondering who among us would be the first bride,” Betsy remarked. “We little thought, did we, that it would be Winona?”
Betsy Clossen had recognized her aunt’s handwriting on one of her letters and so when Margaret asked which was to be read next, that maiden eagerly announced, “Mine, please, for I do want to know what Aunt Laura has to say. If the quarantine has been lifted, she will want me to be coming home, and, although I have had the most wonderful time here on the desert, and I am endlessly grateful to you, Virginia, for having invited me, for you saved me from a most desolate month all alone in school, still, of course, if the twins have recovered, I do want to spend part of my vacation at my mother-aunt’s Cape Cod home.”
“I know dear,” Virginia replied, as she clasped her friend’s hand. “Although other places may be interesting, there is no place quite like the one that shelters our own home people. Read your letter and tell us about it.”
The missive did not take long to read.
“Darling girl,” it began. “I rejoice to be able to tell you that the quarantine has been lifted and that the twins are wild to see their best loved cousin Bettykins, and, as for me, my heart is yearning for my sister’s motherless little daughter, so come, dear, just as soon as the fastest train bound for the East can bring you to three people who so dearly love you.
“One of them being, Your Aunt Laura.”
“I don’t know whether to laugh or cry,” Betsy told them. “I’m so glad somebody loves me that way. Mother and Aunt Laura were twins, and she seems more like a mother to me than my other two aunts, although, they, too, are nice.” Then putting her arms impulsively about her hostess, she exclaimed, “Virginia, how can I thank you for having been so kind, and you, too, Margaret.” She reached out and clasped the hand of her other friend. Then she asked eagerly: “Virg, shall you mind if I begin to pack at once and take the next train East?”
“Of course not, dear, I know just how you feel and we will help you, but if you really take the next train, we will all have to rush to get you ready.”
“My letters can wait,” Margaret said unselfishly. “They are from members of our Lucky Thirteen Club, and although I know that they will be filled with jolly news items, they will be just as interesting later.”