"O Eva! I'm so glad you've come early!" exclaimed Lulu.
"I too," said Max; "but, if you have any secrets for each other's private ear, I'll be off."
"Your company is always agreeable, Max," Evelyn said with a faint smile, "and I should be sorry to drive you away."
"Thanks," he said; "but I'll have to go, for I hear grandpa Dinsmore calling me."
He hastened to obey the call; and the two girls, each putting an arm about the other's waist, paced to and fro along the gravel-walk.
"How is Fairview looking?" asked Lulu.
"Lovely: it couldn't be in better order, and there are a great many flowers in bloom. One might say just the same of Ion."
"Yes: it is even prettier than Fairview, I have always thought. But that's a sweet place too and aunt Elsie and uncle Lester are delightful to live with. I only wish I was as sure as you are of such a sweet home."
"Don't worry, Lu. I hope your father will let you stay on here," Evelyn said in an affectionate tone; "but, indeed, I don't think you have any reason to envy me."
She ended with so profound a sigh, that Lulu turned a surprised, inquiring look upon her, asking, "Have you had any bad news, Eva? I know you have been looking anxiously for a letter from your mother."