Margaret was equally delighted and excited. “It’s perfectly wonderful,” she agreed. “But, Virg, I didn’t suppose that dignified girl could be so, well, girlishly jubilant about anything. Maybe because she was a senior at school, I always thought she was unusually mature, I mean.”
“News like this is enough to make any one act hilarious,” Virg declared. “Moreover, although Eleanor has a dignified carriage, I know that she is very enthusiastic about ever so many things.”
“Of course, you know her much better than I do,” Megsy agreed, “since it was she who showed you how to edit the school magazine, and, of course, you had an opportunity to get better acquainted, as you spent hours together. I don’t wonder that Eleanor calls you ‘Kindred Spirit.’ I always did think that Winona and Eleanor were more mental companions for you than any of the rest of us. Don’t think I’m jealous, Virg. Honestly, I am not. I am glad that you do love them, and even more glad that I have something no one can take from me, and that is the great happiness of being your adopted sister.” Then rising, Megsy held out her hand as she said, “If Malcolm is awake, let’s read the letter to him and then tell him our plan.”
Silently Virginia rose and tenderly she kissed the quiet Margaret. “I do love you, little sister, and you occupy a place in my heart that no one else shall ever have.” Then with arms about each other, they went softly toward the closed door.
CHAPTER XXIX
MALCOLM’S DECISION
Malcolm listened to the enthusiastic chatter of the two girls, who, having read Eleanor’s letter to him were each trying to outdo the other in thinking up arguments that might persuade the lad that accepting the invitation was the very best thing that he could do and just what he should do to regain his strength.
“But who will conduct the V. M. Ranch? Tell me that,” the lad protested.
“Uncle Tex was overseer whenever Dad went away, and if our father could trust his judgment, surely we can.”
“Righto, and, with such able helpers as Slim and Lucky, I really have nothing to fear on that score, and yet, of course, they might need my advice now and then. Did your friend, Eleanor, mention a town from which one could telegraph?”
“Why, no, she didn’t, but of course there are towns everywhere. However, that is the one thing we want to get you away from, a long distance telephone or any other method of easy communication, for every day you would be wanting to call up and find out if V. M. were all right.”