“Who, indeed? The only objection I have to make is that you didn’t warn me, and give me a chance to save up, too,” answered his father gravely.
“I am concerned about only one thing,” said Mrs. Hartwell-Jones to grandfather, as they sat side by side at the table. “I don’t know what to do with Punch and Judy during the winter. I can hardly take them to the city with me.”
“Why not let me keep them out here?” proposed grandfather promptly. “There is plenty of room and to spare. Then when you decide where to spend next summer I can have them shipped to you.”
“But Letty and I are coming back to Hammersmith next summer,” replied Mrs. Hartwell-Jones quickly. “We are so devoted to the dear place, and you all have been such kind friends to us, that we want to spend as many summers here as possible.”
Every one looked pleased at this news and the twins set up a shout of joy.
“Then we’ll see Punch and Judy again, and have some more jolly rides,” they cried.
“And we’ll have Letty again, too, and Mrs. Hartwell-Jones,” added Jane. “Just think, Letty, if we hadn’t seen the ponies that day after the circus, and thought about ’em for Mrs. Hartwell-Jones and her lame foot, you might never have known her.”
“It is you, you dear, precious child, and your thoughtfulness that gave me Letty,” exclaimed Mrs. Hartwell-Jones, catching Jane up in an ardent, unexpected embrace—rather disconcerting to the big piece of chocolate cake which Jane was holding suspended between plate and mouth during her little speech.
“Dear Mrs. Baker,” went on “the lady who wrote books,” turning to Jane’s mother, “of course you have heard from all the family the story of Jane’s idea of having Letty drive the ponies out here so that she might gratify her desire of seeing a poor, modest writer of books; and afterward how Jane’s sweet desire to help Letty find suitable work to do gave me the opportunity of knowing and gaining possession of my daughter!”
Mrs. Hartwell-Jones spoke the words with great pride, and Letty ran across to her embrace. Then Mrs. Hartwell-Jones took a small parcel out of her work-bag.