Dave laughed quietly, but her aunt, her face belying her words, reproved her gently.
"Betty," she said warningly as the girl scrambled to her feet, "don't get excited. I think you'd better go and see to supper. I see you got your letter. How did the wedding go off?"
Betty was leaning against one of the veranda posts.
"Oh, yes," she said indifferently. "I'd forgotten my letter. It's from Jim. He's coming home."
Her aunt suddenly picked up her work. The parson began to open his letters. Dave's eyes, until that moment smiling, suddenly became serious. The girl's news had a strangely damping effect. Dave cleared his throat as though about to speak. But he remained silent.
Then Betty moved across to the door.
"I'll go and get supper," she said quietly, and vanished into the house.