“Thanks, Billie, that’s a real compliment. Come on into the kitchen and I’ll give you some gingerbread with whipped cream on it.” The two went into the house together and while Billie ate, Doris listened while he planned the future.
“I just know you’ll succeed, Billie,” she told him confidently, when she said goodbye on the back steps. “Come down any time and we’ll talk about it some more.”
Rebecca stopped by later that afternoon, chin up and smiling.
“He’s sound asleep,” she said. “Now that everything’s kind of quieted down, I don’t mind telling you something. After Billie had gone, the Judge and I talked things over and I don’t know but what I’ll have to move over there and take care of the two of them. Land knows they need it.”
“Oh, Becky, marry the Judge?” gasped Jean.
“Well, I might as well,” laughed Rebecca. “We’ve wasted thirty years now, and he’ll fret and fuss for thirty more if I don’t marry him. I’ll sell Maple Grove, or you Craigs can have it if you like, rent free.”
20. Jean and Ralph
The last week in July saw the end of Ralph McRae’s visit at Woodhow. He had been East nearly two months and Buzzy was to go back with him. It was impossible to measure or even to estimate Buzzy’s inward joy over the decision, for there had been born in him the spirit of those who long for travel and adventure. He had listened to the distant whistle of the trains that slipped through the Quinnebaug valley, and longed to be on them going anywhere at all.
“I wish I were going too,” said Sally. “I wish all of us were going. I’d love to have a ranch out there and work it myself.”
“Oh, dear child, what strange notions you do have.” Mrs. Hancock sighed. “I never thought of such things when I was your age. I wanted to be a teacher, that was all.”