He came up to them, his glance resolutely averted from Cherry, explaining that he was lonesome, assuring them that everything went well, and making them laugh with an account of Justin Little's reception of the new turn of affairs. Alix asked a hundred questions; laughed and rejoiced.
"To-morrow let's go down and see the old house," suggested Alix, "I guess it's in pretty bad shape, for we couldn't rent it. At least Pete and I didn't think it was worth while to do all the plastering and painting they wanted! But we'll do it now, Cherry; we'll fix it all up, and then every summer, and perhaps some winters--at least if Mart isn't too far away--you can live there. Did you see Anne, Peter?" she asked, suddenly.
"No, just Justin. He seemed absolutely dumbfounded," Peter said. "He looked at the paper, read it, laughed, and said--in that little nervous, smiling way of his--that he felt it to be by no means conclusive--"
"I can hear him!" giggled Alix.
"And I guess both you girls will have to come in in a day or two," Peter continued.
"Cherry's going in to the dentist to-morrow," said Alix.
"Oh, so I am!" Cherry said, in a rather strained voice.
She did not look at Peter, nor did he at her, but they felt each other's thoughts like a spoken word.
"Had you forgotten?" Alix asked. "I may go with you," she added, carelessly.
"Oh, do come!" Cherry said, eagerly. "I--I hate so going alone!"