He went off gaily. Mrs. Fields looked after him affectionately.
"Oh, yes, Andy Churchill, it's plain to be seen your heart's in the right place as much as ever it was, if you have got married," she thought.
"O Fieldsy,"--and this time it was Charlotte who invaded the kitchen and grasped the housekeeper's hands--"how good it seems to be back! But I can't realise a bit I'm at home over here, can you?"
"You'll soon get used to it, I guess, Mis' Churchill."
"Oh, and that sounds strange--from you!" declared Charlotte, laughing. "I'd begun to get a little bit used to it down in Virginia. If you don't say 'Miss Charlotte' once in a while to me I shall feel quite lost."
"I guess Doctor Churchill 'd have something to say about that, if I should. I don't believe but what he's terrible proud of that name."
It was certainly a name nobody seemed able to "get used to." Just called his sister by the new title once during the evening. They were at the table when he thus addressed her, and there followed a succession of comments.
"Don't you dare call her that when I'm round!" remarked Jeff.
"I actually didn't understand at first whom you meant," said Celia.
"I've not forgotten how long it took me to learn that my name was Birch," said Charlotte's mother, with a smile so bright that it covered the involuntary sigh.