I am bringing my little China boy with me, for I happen to think that, with the Burtons, we shall be fourteen at table. Gin is not quite a success as a cook, but he can at least wash dishes, wait at table, and help Hop Yet in various ways; while I shall be only too glad to share all your housekeeping cares, if you have not escaped them even in the wilderness.
I shall be so glad to see you again; and oh, Truth, I am so happy, so happy, that, please God, I can keep my child after all! The weary burden of dread is lifted off my heart, and I feel young again. Just think of it! My Elsie will be well and strong once more! It seems too good to be true.
Always your attached friend,
Janet Howard.
Mrs. Winship’s voice quivered as she read the last few words, and Polly and Bell threw themselves into each other’s arms and cried for sheer gladness.
“Come, come, dears! I suppose you will make grand preparations, and there is no time to lose. One of you must find somebody to help Philip unload the team. Papa and the boys have gone fishing, and Laura and Margery went with them, I think.” And Mrs. Winship bustled about, literally on hospitable thoughts in-tent.
Polly tied on her sun-bonnet with determination, turned up her sleeves as if washing were the thing to be done, and placed her arms akimbo.
“First and foremost,” said she, her eyes sparkling with excitement, “first and foremost, I am going to blow the horn.”
“Certainly not,” said Aunt Truth. “Are you crazy, Polly? It is scarcely ten o’clock, and everybody would think it was dinnertime, and come home at once.”
“No, they’d think something had happened to Dicky,” said Bell, “and that would bring them in still sooner.”