“Yes, dearest, I fully understand, and rejoice that you have their loved companionship when I must be away from home, so that you might be lonely indeed without them,” returned Chester. He came close to her side and put an arm about her as he spoke.
“My dear husband,” she murmured low and softly, “your companionship has become more and sweeter to me than any or all other, even that of my dear father.”
“Oh, thank you for those sweet words, dearest,” he returned with emotion. “Ah, I esteem myself a very fortunate man in having such a wife. But it grows late and I must hasten with my preparations, for breakfast first and business after.”
“Do, my dear. I am just ready to go down, and I think the call to breakfast will soon follow my entrance into the dining-room.”
She met Max in the hall, and they exchanged a pleasant morning greeting.
“How are wife and baby?” she asked.
“They seem to be well, bright and happy.”
“And you are looking so.”
“Look as I feel, then, when I can refrain from thinking of Uncle Sam’s coming orders,” he returned with a rather rueful smile.