“Stephen,” replied Barbara, “I shall never believe that he did that, no matter if he were to tell me so himself.”
They reached the piazza just in time to hear Miss Sallie saying:
“Girls, I think we had better go up and get ready for the trip, before luncheon is announced. We want to start promptly, this time, even if we shall have such an excellent guard of young men. José, I am sorry you are not well enough to come in to our last meal,” she added, turning to the sick boy and taking his hand. “But we shall run up and say good-bye to you before we leave, and if ever you go as far west as Chicago, I want you to come and see us. Perhaps Ruth and I shall see you and your father this autumn when we are in Europe.”
“Indeed, I hope you will come to Madrid and visit at my home,” cried José. “Will you not arrange it?”
“That would be delightful” said Miss Sallie, “but we shall be over only for six weeks. We must return in time for Ruth’s school, you know.”
The last luncheon at Ten Eyck Hall was a very gay one. The dangers of the previous week were over and the mysteries cleared away.
The major fairly beamed on his guests across the hospitable board.
“It must have been Miss Sallie’s fault,” thought Mollie, watching his handsome face with a secret admiration. “He is certainly the dearest old man alive. I wonder if she isn’t sorry now?”
And as if in answer to her unspoken question, she heard Miss Sallie saying:
“John, I hope this is not the last visit you will let us make to Ten Eyck Hall. In spite of its fires and tramps I should like to come again.”