He led the way through the side door, and the children found themselves at once in such a dear old garden that four "Ah's!" of satisfaction arose.
"What a beautiful, lovely old garden!" cried Trix. "It is as nice as Miss Isabel's."
Mr. Dean turned quickly.
"Do you know Miss Isabel?" he asked.
"Know her!" cried Jack. "She's our best friend."
"And she's lovelier than any one else in all the world," added Trix, with defiance in her voice, remembering who he was and for what he might be there. But Margery kept her big gray eyes fastened on his face, and saw the color come there and his eyes grow moist.
"So she is, Beatrice," he said. "You are fortunate to have her friendship."
Something in his voice melted all Margery's distrust; she slipped her hand confidingly into his.
"We love her more than all the world," she said softly. "We have a club, and her name in the club is Alma Cara."
Some sure instinct always led little Margery to divine the right and kindest thing to do. Mr. Dean looked down on her pale face and earnest eyes.