“I hope you will not allow my coming to disturb you, Mrs. MacQuoid,” he said kindly when both arose from their evening meal at his entrance. “Do you and Sandy finish your tea; I will chat with Archie a while and then rest in the library until it suits you to ring for me.”
Archie had been asleep in his chair, but awoke at the sound of Mr. Courtney’s voice and looked up at the handsome, kind face with an appreciative smile.
“Archie is glad you are home; he has often been here, but could not see you,” he said.
“Miss Hilda was here this afternoon, sir,” said Mrs. MacQuoid. “She was reading in the library.”
Mr. Courtney’s heart thrilled with pleasure, and a smile illumined his countenance. He was now where she had lately been; the sweet consciousness of her presence made his home doubly dear.
While he was chatting with Archie and asking Mrs. MacQuoid for the welfare of Rev. Carl and family and the neighborhood in general, Sandy lighted the library lamp, drew the blinds, and wheeled Mr. Courtney’s favorite chair before the grate.
“If we had knowed that Marse Val was comin’,” remarked Chloe, after he had withdrawn to the library, “we could have had fried chicken and hot waffles, an’ invited Mis’ Emma an’ Miss Hilda over, an’ it would have been like ol’ times.”
“He knows we didn’t expect him, Chloe, and I am sure this rich ham, and your beautiful white rolls, and the sweet butter and honey will suit him,” replied Mrs. MacQuoid as she placed glass and china for one upon the tea-table.
“He allus was that easy to please; never had no bother nohow with Marse Val, and Marse Carl an’ Miss Emma. They is angels, that is certain sure.”
“True for you, Chloe, and now if the coffee is ready, I will ring for the master.”