Lav’s eyes found Aunt Achsa’s smiling face.
“Get Aunt Achsa an oil stove,” he answered promptly. “And—and lots of things. And books. And—” his eyes kindled. But he broke off abruptly. He was going to say that now he could go to school in one of the big cities where folks did not notice other folks who were “different.” But he did not say it, he did not want to spoil Aunt Achsa’s joy.
Sidney understood and, reaching out, squeezed one of Lavender’s hands.
Doctor Blackwell ordered his patient back to bed. Martie took Gran’ma Calkins home. With much handshaking Cap’n Phin took his leave. Miss Letty and Trude and Sidney briskly cleared away the dishes.
“I feel as though I had lived ten years since I heard those men pounding on Steve Blackwell’s door,” declared Miss Letty, piling the plates with a clatter.
“Oh, ten! A hundred! I didn’t know anyone could live so fast all at one time!” agreed Sidney solemnly. “Sometimes I think I’m just dreaming and will wake up and find that nothing’s happened. I won’t mind going home now for I’ll have so much to think about!”
“Going home?” gasped Aunt Achsa. “Why—why—”
Dugald Allan, coming from Lavender’s room, interrupted them.
“I beg to report that your millionaire nephew is resting quietly and is in fine shape.” Sidney noticed with a little glow of feeling how quickly Mr. Dugald’s eyes sought Trude’s. And she thought Trude cruel to look away!
Miss Vine persuaded Aunt Achsa to go to bed and then said good-night herself. Her “ten years” had left her fatigued. Dugald Allan walked as far as the lane with her then came back, remembering suddenly that he was carrying two letters in his pocket.