Ethel kissed her as well as her sleepy little charge as she went into the house to put on a warmer dress before she should go out in the evening to see the community fireworks.
"You and Elisabeth are my helpers," she whispered gratefully. "You make everybody happy—except, perhaps—"
Ethel hesitated, for Gertrude had never mentioned Edward to her since he left for Oklahoma.
"Do you want to know what was in my May basket?"
Ethel clasped her hands.
"Oh, yes!"
Gertrude took out of her cardcase a tattered bit of paper. It read: "When you know that you really like Oklahoma and all the people there, please telegraph me. Good-bye."
"I telegraphed this morning," she said, almost shyly. "I said 'Oklahoma interests me'."
"Here comes the telegraph boy down the street now," cried Ethel.
Gertrude took the yellow envelope from him, and, before she opened it, signed the book painstakingly. When she had read the message she handed it to Ethel Blue.