“Mr. Barlow was very kind,” said Gretel. “He bought me this hat in Baltimore before we went on the train. I should have hated to come all the way home without a hat. He paid the people on the boat too, and gave the stewardess a present for being so good to the twins when they were seasick. I’m so glad Miss Heath didn’t believe I went because I wanted to. She said she always felt safe about Jerry and Geraldine when I was with them. That’s one reason why I ran after them when I saw them going on the boat.”
“Miss Heath is coming over to see you by and by,” said Mr. Douane, smiling. “I think she has something to talk to you about.”
Gretel looked very much pleased.
It made her feel quite grown-up and important to hear that a young lady wanted to talk to her.
“I love Miss Heath better than any one I ever knew except Father and you,” she said; “I’m so glad you like her, too, Percy. Don’t you hope we shall keep on seeing her when we go back to New York?”
“I most certainly do,” agreed Mr. Douane, and there was such an odd expression in his eyes that Gretel regarded him rather curiously.
“You look as if you were very happy about something,” she remarked wonderingly; “is it because I’ve come back?”
“Partly for that reason, and partly for something else,” her brother answered evasively, and Gretel did not like to ask any more questions on the subject.
“It was nice of Jerry to tell you why I went with them,” she said, by way of changing the subject. “I like Jerry very much; he’s so honest; he doesn’t talk much, but he thinks a lot. He’s very fond of Miss Heath, too. I’m so glad you will want to see Miss Heath after we leave here. It’s very sad to get fond of people, and then never see them any more.”
“It is indeed,” responded her brother. “I have had one experience of that kind myself, and I don’t want another. I lost Miss Heath once, but I don’t intend to lose her again if I can help it.”