The doctor looked so intently into the face that had seldom been absent from his thoughts that Mary was obliged to turn from his keen gaze in some confusion. Mr. Wythburn’s pleasure was very great; he had longed for the sight of an old friend, and he had always liked the doctor. He wished he might have come to stay for a month; and he promised himself the greatest possible pleasure in showing him the features of the new place in which Mr. Wythburn almost felt that he had a share.
The two girls walked together to talk as girls will; and Tom was soon in ecstasies about everything. “But I wish very much that Mr. Knight were at home,” said Mary; “for the place never seems complete without him.”
CHAPTER XXVIII.
“FOR CHRIST AND THE PEOPLE!”
“And you are really happy, Mary?”
“As happy as it is possible to be in this world.”
“And you do not require any one but these people to fill your heart and life? You are sure that you have never regretted Alfred Greenholme?”
Mary laughed merrily at the suggestion. “I do regret acting as I did, Tom; but I thank God every day that instead of being Alfred Greenholme’s wife I am at work among my dear people in this most beautiful place.”
“And no doubt Mr. Knight fully appreciates your services?”
“Mr. Knight appreciates everything that is done to help to make Craighelbyl what he has set his heart upon its becoming—a model town occupied by model people. It is not all easy, you know, Tom. We have some obstreperous ones among us; but there is every inducement to the people to behave well, because everything is done that can be thought of to make them comfortable and happy.”
“And they are certainly a merry set, if one may judge from last night.”