"And General Haines forgave Gay's sister, and he had as much right to be unforgiving as you have," Ethel said.
"Nobody is unforgiving," muttered Lyman. "But I thought that he was twice as good as the minister or anybody, and——"
"He always behaved like a gentleman," interrupted Ned.
"Yes, that's where the laugh comes in," Will said.
"You may be as hateful as you like," announced impetuous Ethel. "Julia and I have made up our minds to go to Rose Cottage and try to make it up with Gay."
There was some little controversy. Robert was on the girls' side and the others soon followed his lead. Lyman, who had been fondest of the youthful impostor, was the last to forgive him, but in the end he signified his willingness to accompany the girls. They went on their way with some feeling of shyness, which increased as they approached the house, and deepened still further when they failed to descry either May or Gay on the porch.
"Suppose he is stand-offish," said Ethel gloomily.
"I really can't go up there and ring the bell," said Will, whose courage was beginning to ooze away.
There was no need to ring the bell; Gay and May had seen them coming, and together they went to meet the approaching regiment, wondering if it came with peaceful or hostile intent.