CHAPTER FIVE
“SWEET AS ENGLISH AIR COULD MAKE HER”
It was long before the Garden household settled down to sleep that night.
The girls had walked with Mr. and Mrs. Moulton part of the distance toward their home. In answer to Florimel’s question, Mr. Moulton had said that he was sure that Mrs. Garden would be established at home in less than a month. When Jane pressed him for a right to hope for her coming in less time, he admitted that it was quite possible that she would be in Vineclad within three weeks, as he meant to write to her that night.
“And tell her not to bring a maid, not unless she thinks she can’t possibly get on without her. We want to be her maids; please tell her that, Mr. Moulton,” Jane implored him.
“Very well, Jane. Your mother has undoubtedly been accustomed to a great deal of waiting upon; remember that you children may not have much leisure this summer for your outdoor pleasures if you do not let your mother have her maid,” Mr. Moulton suggested.
“Of course we can find one here, later,” said Mrs. Moulton, seeing the protest in the three pairs of eyes turned upon them.
“And if you had a mother indoors, one you thought was dead, you wouldn’t want to go out at all, would you?” cried Florimel.
“That’s what we all feel,” said Mary.
“Why, since I’ve heard she was alive, and I’ve got so I could think of it, I’m just hovering over my mother!” cried Jane. “It’s as though my mind fluttered over her, the way birds flutter over their nests; it can’t get away.”