“But it isn’t such sad news as it might be, mother,” said Billy. “Father will soon be well, we hope.”
“With the kind of nursing which I—I mean we—will give him,” said Aunt Maria, “I expect he will be about quite soon.”
That speech cheered everybody, and the children felt so hopeful that they were nearly happy as the train pulled out of the station.
The house seemed pretty empty and lonesome when they went in.
“Let’s play checkers,” said Billy; and they forgot a little of their troubles in the game.
It was not long before they heard footsteps on the porch. Then the bell rang.
“Oh, Billy, aren’t you afraid to go to the door?” whispered Mary Frances.