“Very near. Come, let us go.” They climbed the steep path, with many pauses to look back on the gleaming bay and the boat riding at anchor—the boat that was to carry them away to the ends of the earth.
“We will go to St. Petersburg,” said Sergia, watching the shining light.
“And Italy.”
“And build castles there.”
“Castles! And then we will come home at last—”
“Home!” He said the word under his breath. They had come close to the little house. Through the open door they saw the red room,—half in shadow, half in light,—and in the red room the two old men looking at each other.
Uncle William saw them first and got to his feet, his big face filled with welcome. “Come in, my dear.” He took the girl’s face between his hands, looking down into it with gentle delight. “We’re glad you’ve come,” he said slowly. “It was jest about time.” He studied the face. “We want you to feel to home,” he went on. “‘Most everybody does feel to home, that comes here.” He bent and kissed the face with rough tenderness.
Juno, from her perch, jumped down and rubbed a sidewise welcome along the gray skirt.
The girl stooped to stroke her. When she looked up, her eyes were filled with tears. She brushed them hastily aside.
Uncle William, from his height, looked down on them benignly. “You needn’t mind those, my dear. Good salt water never hurt anybody yet—on sea or land. You do it all you want to.”