Uncle Tom turned to the kindling, sympathetic face.
"She would have been desolate indeed without the kindness she has received from you and yours. It was an unhappy chance that separated us, but such separation will be impossible again," said Tom Chance, and that was all the explanation that he felt it needful to offer or that Betty wished to hear.
When Tom and Eva returned at last to the cottage, the sound that greeted them as they entered was vigorous scrubbing, interspersed with fitful singing, and Tom pushed open the door of the inner room to see his sister on her knees scrubbing the floor with might and main, until the boards shone again with whiteness. He put his arms round her and swung her to her feet.
"How dare you do it, Birdie? What shall I say to you for setting to work like that at the end of a long day's sewing?"
The joy of hearing her old pet name, and feeling the masterful touch of his strong hands, brought tears to Clarissa's eyes, but a laugh to her lips.
"It's so good to hear you talk," she said, bending back her face to kiss him, "but I was bound to do it to get the room all fresh and clean for you to-night, for of course you'll come here to your prophet's chamber, just a bed and a chair and candlestick.
"Betty looked in half-an-hour ago, and wanted to do the scrubbing, but I would not let her. That joy was mine, I told her."
"Ah, I saw her slip away as I sat chatting with the old people, but I did not know she was off to lend you a hand."
"Lend a hand! she seems blessed with a dozen pairs, and they are always busy in helping other people, notably me. Had I a sister, she should be made on Betty's model. You must not think that I live in a muddle like this, but a visitor—and such a visitor—has upset the equilibrium of my establishment. Tea is laid out in the verandah. Just give me a moment to tidy my hair and wash my hands, and you will see I've not been unmindful of your creature comforts."
And truly, the meal prepared looked dainty and appetizing.