Although the doctor had an appointment waiting him, he seemed to find it hard to tear himself away from the pleasant picture the mother and her three daughters made on the spacious side porch after supper that night. Winnie had insisted on displaying her convenient kitchen and though there was no gas range she declared that the oil stove would fulfill all her requirements except for her weekly baking when she would build a fire in the range. There Were electric lights throughout the house; and the outbuildings, as they learned later, as well as the tenant house, were also wired.
"Here comes somebody!" said Sarah in a loud whisper. "It's the farmeress."
"No it isn't, it's two of them," asserted Shirley, pressing her small nose against the wire screen and acquiring a plaid pattern on the tip.
"Hush—they'll hear you," said Mrs. Willis, rising and opening the screen door as two young men came across the lawn.
"Mrs. Willis?" said the taller. "Mr. Hildreth sent us up to see if you wanted any help, unpacking. This is Richard Gilbert," he introduced his companion, "and I am Warren Baker. We're working for Mr. Hildreth this summer."
Doctor Hugh came forward at once and while they were being introduced the three girls studied the newcomers with interest. They were both apparently about eighteen years old, both deeply tanned, both slim and muscular and wholesome-looking. Richard Gilbert was slightly shorter and heavier than Warren, who was really thin. The latter had dark hair and gray eyes, while Richard's hair and eyes were brown. Both boys were neatly, if not smartly, dressed and gave a pleasant impression of cleanliness, coolness and comfort, though they had done a heavy day's work and their day had started at five that morning. Rosemary instantly decided that she liked them both.
So did the rest of the Willis family, and Doctor Hugh delayed his departure till he declared that one more moment would mean he must break the speed laws to get back to town. It had been arranged that he was to take his breakfast and dinner with the hospitable Welles, a most convenient plan since their house was the nearest. He was seldom home for lunch and his telephone calls would be taken care of at the "Jordan office" as Eastshore still called the rooms which had been occupied by the old and popular physician whose practise had been taken over by Doctor Hugh.
Mrs. Willis watched him drive away, satisfied that his comfort was provided for; and then, as she had decreed that no unpacking was to be done that night, Richard and Warren took their leave, after promising to show the girls the whole farm the next morning.
"If they know what they're about, they'll tie a rope to Sarah," said Winnie, going about locking doors and windows as though she expected a siege.
She had managed to "get a good look," as she said, at the visitors and had approved of them whole-heartedly.