Mrs. Duff was quite tired, but I could see as I looked in her boy's window that his words put new strength in her.
She straightened herself and said in her sweet though always husky voice, "Together, my boy, we shall see what we can do for the world. There is much unhappiness."
Dallas put his arm round her and escorted her to her room upstairs, then he came out on the veranda and looked long and lovingly at the lake, smiling as he listened to the screaming gossip of the beloved loons about their approaching winter journey to southern climes.
Glancing behind him I saw Mr. Devering coming out of his office. The man was pained at the thought of parting from this dearly loved boy who had been such a care to him for so many years.
He was glad to give him up to his own parents, yet he wished to have a few last words with him.
However as he stepped round the north corner of the house Big Chief and Cassowary came round the south one, and as often happens the light step of youth got ahead of the slower one of middle age.
Both boy and girl pounced on their cousin standing there in the moonlight.
"I say!" exclaimed Big Chief, "come for a walk."
As the three went down the steps a disappointed expression came over Mr. Devering's face. When our dear lad came to Fawn Lake it was his uncle he sought. Now in his more normal outlook on life he chose companions of his own age.
Then, being a good man Mr. Devering's face became resigned.