"Of course not," the girl sighed impatiently. "Oh, I hope he comes soon!"
Her soul burned for a sight of him. He had been the first to fly to her rescue, even when he had thought her but a squatter girl. He had not shrunk from the dangers of the settlement, and, in spite of the peril of Lem and Lon, he had been willing to drag her away from harm for the love of her. The thought was infinitely sweet.
At length Ann brought her to the present.
"Fledra dear, can you realize that little Mildred is your own sister, and that Mildred's mother is yours? Oh, Darling, you ought to be the happiest girl in the world!"
"I'm happy, all right," said Fledra gravely; "only, I feel sorry for Katherine. Somehow, we changed Daddies, didn't we?"
"Yes, Dear, and I feel for her too," lamented Ann. "I can't see how she's going to bear it."
"Maybe she's been a praying," said Fledra, "as I did when I thought I was coming to Lem. It does help a lot."
"Dear child, dear heart," murmured Ann, "your faith is greater than mine! Katherine Vandecar is a saint, and—and so are you, Fledra."
"No, I'm not." The girl dropped her eyes and flushed deeply.
"Oh, but Fledra, you are!" Then a new thought entered Ann's mind, and she hesitated before she continued. "Fledra, will you tell me something about Mr. Brimbecomb? I mean—you know—the trouble you spoke of in your letter to him?"