Snuggling to his side, Madelene threw her arms around his neck, and whispered,
"You do love me, dear, don't you?"
Smiling into her eyes, he kissed her.
"Of course I do," he lied promptly. "Don't you know it, little girl?"
After breakfast, Mrs. Graves summoned them to her room again. Relieved of her pressing anxieties, and excited by the sudden fruition of her cherished plans, she looked and acted much better. She talked gaily to the young people of their future, laughed at the girl's blushes, and chaffed her son about his coming responsibilities.
"Frederick," she suddenly said more soberly. "I think you should go right away now and see Ebenezer, and ask him properly for Madelene's hand."
Feeling that such a course would commit him irrevocably, the boy hesitated.
"Don't be afraid, Fred dear," Madelene broke in. "I know Eb likes you, and," blushingly, "I think he will not be much surprised, either."
If he could only summon courage enough to tell Madelene before they met her brother! Perhaps if he could get the girl alone he might.
"Come along with me," he said spontaneously. "We'll go together."