Apparently Lance had not heard.
He was standing close beside Donald and had thrown one arm about his shoulder.
This was once a favorite attitude between the twin brothers, Tory recalled. They had become less intimate, and this afternoon before Lance’s departure were both aware of the fact and regretting it. As usual, expression came more easily to Lance.
“You will look after Dorothy and Tory and Louise and the best beloved of the Girl Scouts whenever they need help, Don. This goes without saying, so it is only fair I should try to be useful to Kara once in a while.
“You are reconciled to my going, aren’t you, Don?”
“Wouldn’t make any difference whether I was or not,” Don answered ungraciously, yet his blue eyes softened.
The dusk was descending and Lance’s final speech to Kara had added to Dorothy’s restlessness and discomfort.
“It is time we were saying good-night, Lance; you will wish to tell Tory good-by.”
The boy crossed over and held out his long-fingered, slender hand.
As Tory’s own fingers closed over it, she had a sensation of being ashamed of an emotion and of hoping Lance would not guess. She was not so sorry at his departure as she had thought she would be. Life would be more peaceful and agreeable at the old McClain house with Lance away, even if more humdrum. She would have more of Dorothy’s and Don’s society for herself.