Major Dale was at first inclined to deal summarily with the man, but Dorothy pleaded his case so ardently that she finally “won out,” as the major expressed it and so the old officer was let off with an unmistakable “curtain lecture.”
He declared he had taken enough from the Birchland constable to pay for all his other mistakes, for indeed the wrath of that officer when he found his “prize” had escaped was not of the sort that is easily allayed.
All this, “added to what he got,” made enough, Dorothy declared.
Miette’s frail health, her tendency to faint in any unusual excitement, caused Mrs. White apprehension as time for the proposed journey to New York arrived. If only Miette would be satisfied to wait at the Cedars while Dorothy and Mrs. White could go, then, Mrs. White told her, she could take another trip, when some key to the situation had been obtained.
But Miette was so anxious—she wanted above everything else to see Marie, and then she felt assured she would be able to learn all the particulars about her aunt leaving New York.
As days passed Mrs. White got into communication with Mrs. Pangborn. Letters passed to and from Glenwood daily, and Dorothy’s aunt told her they would have some business with Miette’s attorneys when they reached New York.
Finally one particularly bright day, Miette came down to the dining room with the regular request “to go to-day,” pleading from the depths of her wonderful dark eyes.
“I feel so well,” she declared, “and if we could only go and have it all settled—”
“Well,” agreed Mrs. White, “I guess we can go to-day.”
How the color came and went in Miette’s cheeks! How excited she was to get started, every moment seeming to add to her impatience.