“Oh,” said Jeanne, brokenly, “it is so good of you. I felt so forlorn. I thought that I was forsaken by every one. But I won’t feel so any more. You are so good––” She burst into a flood of tears.
“There! there!” Bob comforted her with endearments while Mr. Huntsworth blew his nose vigorously. “I know just how you feel, Jeanne. It nearly killed me when Frank went over to the Union instead of staying with his own people. I don’t blame you for wanting to keep your brother on your side.”
“You are generous, Bob. I did not sympathize with you before, but I do now. I don’t believe that Dick will go, but I am so afraid of what Aunt Clarisse may do to him if he doesn’t. No! Dick won’t go. But I must return. They will wonder what has become of me.”
“It is high time all of us were leaving,” remarked Mr. Huntsworth. “This is rather a breezy place for a conversation.”
Still conversing the three slowly descended the elevation, and then bidding them good-bye Jeanne returned to the La Chaise residence feeling more hopeful now that she knew that Bob and Mr. Huntsworth were in the city. As she entered the grounds Snowball dodged from behind one of the trees.
“Lill’ missy,” she said, “go down behind de smokehouse de fust chance yer git. I’se got sumpin’ ter tell yer.”
“All right, Snowball. I will go now,” replied Jeanne rather startled.
“Not now, missy. Deys done seen yer kum in. Go on ter yer room and then slip down arter yer stays dere awhile.”
Jeanne followed the girl’s advice, and went on to the house. Madame Vance looked up as she entered. She gave a quick glance at the girl, and something in the latter’s face caught her attention.
“You look brighter,” she commented. “Whom did you see?”