Alexia squealed in delight; then her sallow cheek turned quite white. “Mrs. Fargo,” and she clutched that lady’s arm, “suppose, only suppose for an instant, that it had burned down this morning!
“‘And we are to give her and Roslyn the most beautiful marriage reception. Oh, you can’t think how beautiful it will all be at “The Oaks” when they come home’—
“Oh!” squealed Alexia, again seizing Mrs. Fargo by the arm; “now, you and I will have our good time, won’t we, for being cheated out of all the rest? It’s too splendid for anything! Mrs. Fargo, I never thought of the welcome-home party we could give them! Why, that will be almost as good as having Phronsie married here;” and she jumped off the sofa, and began to pirouette around the room. “But how can we ever plan it with Polly away?” and she came to a sudden stop, her brow wrinkling in perplexity.
“You better finish your letter,” advised Mrs. Fargo. “Polly probably has something to say on that point. Then you can jump, Alexia, all you want to.”
So Alexia flew back to her letter. “Where was I? Oh—at ‘“The Oaks” when they come home. We are coming first, Jasper and I, with the children and Grace, who has been the dearest little comfort in all this world. Joel and David, of course, must get back as soon as possible, so they are coming with us. Ben will stay with Mamsie and Dr. Fisher, and Grandpapa and Phronsie and Roslyn, a few weeks longer; and then they will all come home together, and bring Charlotte Chatterton with them.’
“Oh, goody, goody!” exclaimed Alexia, beating her palms together in joy. “And I’ll venture to say that then you’ll see I’m right, my dear Mrs. Fargo, about Charlotte Chatterton and Ben.”
“Maybe so,” said Mrs. Fargo wisely. “Well, is that all?”
“Um—um—let me see,” said Alexia, whirling the letter again; “yes, except—‘I have written a letter with all these details to dear Mrs. Fargo—and I know you go to see dear Grandma Bascom every day, Alexia; and do tell her all this that I have told you, and that, please God, we shall be home, the first party of us, very soon now. And then, dear, won’t you and I plan for Phronsie’s home-coming!’
“Won’t we, though!” cried Alexia with shining eyes. “Well,” drawing a long breath, “I must hurry off and tell Grandma Bascom all the news; and then, says I, I must let that blessed baby know all about it.”