“I had no right to think of any one else then, and besides—”
“Well, besides?” said John after a pause.
“It was you that Elsie liked best, Willie thought—and that her father liked best, as well—”
“Did the foolish fellow tell you that?”
“He said that Elsie was ay friendly with you, and that she had hardly a word or a look for him, and he was afraid that it might break friendship between you if he stayed on, and he said he was going away.”
“And he did go, the foolish lad. Friendly! Yes, Elsie and I were friendly, but it was Willie who had her heart. But his going away did no harm in the end.”
Allison sighed.
“It was ay Willie’s way to yield to impulse, and ill came of it whiles.”
“It is his way still—whiles. But it is good that mostly comes of it now. And in Elsie’s hands, a thread will guide him. You will love Elsie dearly, Allison.”
“I love her dearly already.”