But nobody came in, and Gay ended the debate about likenesses by reminding them cheerfully:
“Turn, Flemynge, spin agayne;
The crossit line’s the kenter skein.”
CHAPTER IX
The next morning David was surprised, and a little touched, to have his aunt come up to him in the shadowy upper hall and embrace him warmly. It was a long time since he had had such a kiss from Aunt Flora.
“Sylvia’s just hinted it to me—I’m so glad, my dear, dear boy!” said Flora. “She doesn’t want anything said of it—I understand! She wants it just as if nothing had happened, until June—I understand! But I must let you know that I am so delighted, David.”
And pressing his hands with a display of emotion very rare in her she hurried on. But for this David might almost believe that he had dreamed that little conversation with Sylvia in the firelight last night. Sylvia really showed less feeling than her mother; Aunt Flora was quite visibly beaming over the thought.
Yet Sylvia did show some; she was demure and sweet with David, and on New Year’s Eve they had a few moments’ grave conversation about the future.
“Perhaps there’ll be a young Mrs. Fleming here next year, Sylvia?”
“Oh, not quite so soon, I think. Promise me, promise me you won’t hurry matters! But some day——” And she let her smooth, warm hand rest in his until they were interrupted by her mother’s entrance into the room.