“But you’ll be getting so awfully wise that there will be no talking to you, if you stay much longer.”
“In that case, it might do you good to listen,” said Emily, laughing.
“But you are altogether too wise already,” Harry persisted. “I really am quite afraid to open my lips in your presence.”
“We have all been wondering at your strange silence, and lamenting it,” said Arthur.
“But, indeed, I must have a word with the deacon about it,” said Harry. “I can’t understand how he has allowed it so long already. I must bring my influence to bear on him.”
“You needn’t,” said Emily. “I have almost prevailed upon Graeme, to let Menie go back with me. There will be two learned ladies then.”
Graeme smiled, and shook her head.
“Not till summer. We’ll see what summer brings. Many things may happen before summer,” she added, gravely.
They all assented gravely too, but not one of them with any anxious thought of trouble drawing near. They grew quiet after that, and each sat thinking, but it was of pleasant things mostly; and if on anyone there fell a shadow for a moment, it was but with the thought of the morrow’s parting, and never with the dread that they might not all meet on earth again.