"Something is pleasing them," said Mother Maddon, laughing.
In a few minutes Teddy bounced in.
"What d'you think, mother? Brother Hallock's come back!" he declared excitedly.
"Already? Why, that's fine, to be sure. We'll come down directly."
"You bet it's dandy!" agreed Teddy, bouncing out again and going downstairs two steps at the time.
Mother Maddon turned to Venna.
"How those children do adore him! You see he lives with us when in the city and every spare minute he spends with those children—he certainly deserves a good, wholesome wife. But I don't have to worry about him yet. He has another year of mission work, and missionaries aren't allowed to speak of love to any woman. So I have a whole year to give him good advice!" she said, laughing. "Come, we must go down to him."
Venna needed no urging. She was anxious to talk with him.
Brother Hallock received both women with great friendliness. The children, fearful of letting him go, clung around him as he held out both hands.
There was great sympathy in the keen glance he gave Venna. He realized her state of mind by the great change in her.