Ready at last, she tripped down the path and closed the gate carefully. Mrs. Irving waved a friendly hand at her from the upper window. “Bring me a letter!” she called.
“I’ll try to,” answered Iris, “but I can’t promise.”
She lifted her gown a little, to keep it clear of burr and brier, and one saw the smooth, black silk stocking, chastely embroidered at the ankle, as one suspected, by the hand of the wearer, and the dainty, high-heeled shoes. The sunshade waved back and forth coquettishly. It seemed to be an airy ornament, rather than an article of utility.
Half-way down the street, she met Doctor Brinkerhoff. “Good morning, little lady,” he said, with a smile.
“Good morning, sir,” replied Iris, with a quaint courtesy. “I trust you are well?”
“My health is uniformly good,” he returned, primly. “You must remember that I have my own drugs and potions always at hand.” He made careful inquiries as to the physical and mental well-being of each member of the family, sent kindly salutations to all, made a low bow to Iris, and went on.
“A very pleasant gentleman,” she said to herself. “What a pity that he has no social position!”
She loitered at the bridge, hanging over the railing, and looked down into the sunny depths of the little stream. All through the sweet Summer, the brook sang cheerily, by night and by day. It began in a cool, crystal pool, far up among the hills, and wandered over mossy reaches and pebbly ways, singing meanwhile of all the fragrant woodland through which it came. Hidden springs in subterranean caverns, caught by the laughing melody, went out to meet it and then followed, as the children followed the Pied Piper of old. Great with its gathered waters, it still sang as it rippled onward to its destiny, dreaming, perchance, of the time when its liquid music, lost at last, should be merged into the vast symphony of the sea.
Lynn came down the hill, swinging his violin case, and Iris, a little consciously, went on to the post-office.
Standing on tiptoe, she peered into the letter box, and then her heart gave a little leap, for there were two, yes three letters there.