News! What could it be? It was not often that news of much interest came to enliven our quiet life. I felt so curious and excited about it that by the time we were all three comfortably settled round the dining-table, my cheeks were quite rosy and my eyes bright.
“Connie is looking quite herself again,” said papa. “I don’t like to hear her complain of being dull and tired. It isn’t like you, my little girl.”
“No, indeed,” mamma agreed, “it isn’t like our Sweet Content.”
“But I’m not Sweet Content at all just now,” I said. “I’ve been just boiling for Peter to go out of the room so that papa can tell us his news.”
Mamma had not heard of it. She, too, glanced up with interest in her eyes.
“It isn’t anything very important,” said papa. “No one has left us a fortune, and all my patients are much the same; it is only that I think—nay, I may say I am sure—I have got a tenant for the Yew Trees.”
Mamma looked pleased.
“I am very glad indeed,” she replied. “I am quite tired of seeing the place deserted, and it is a good deal of expense to keep it at all tidy. I hope the offer is from some nice people.”
I had not spoken. I was very disappointed. I did not care at all whether the Yew Trees was let or not. I was far too unpractical to think anything about the money part of it. I suppose papa saw the expression on my face, for he turned to me as he answered mamma’s question.
“Yes,” he said, “that is the best part of it. I think they are certainly very nice people. And, Connie, there will be some companions for you among them—two girls just about your age, perhaps a little older. Their name is Whyte—a Captain Whyte and his family; he has been in the navy, but is shelved for the present. They are old friends of the Bickersteths.”