"I am so glad," said Undine, smiling. "I promised Marjorie I would try, but of course I knew I could never take her place. Oh, Miss Jessie, you said I might read Marjorie's last letter. It came when I was out, you know, and I didn't hear you read it to Mrs. Graham."
"So I did, I am glad you reminded me, for I had forgotten all about it. It was written from the place in Virginia where she has been spending the holidays, and tells all about their Christmas festivities. It is in the right-hand drawer of my desk—you may read it whenever you like."
Undine glanced at the book in Miss Graham's lap.
"If you don't want me for anything, and are going to stay here for a while, I think I will go and read it now," she said; "I love Marjorie's letters."
"Very well, dear; I want to finish this book before we begin the one we are going to read together. It won't take me more than fifteen minutes."
Undine scrambled to her feet.
"All right," she said; "I'll be back before that. Oh, Miss Jessie, isn't the air glorious to-day? It makes me feel so happy and excited; just as if something were going to happen."
Undine tripped away to the house, and Miss Graham, as she opened her book, heard the clear young voice singing:
"'A Highland laddie lives over the lea;
A laddie both noble and gallant and free.'"
The song died away in the distance, and Miss Jessie became absorbed in her story. It was very still, and not a sound came to disturb her until she had turned the last page. Then she closed the book, and looked up in surprise.