"There, there, sweetheart," she said soothingly. "The fighting is all over. The bad Indian really is dead this time. You've no more need to be frightened. Brother Jack and I will take care of you."
Elsie gazed up into the loving dark eyes of her comforter.
"Why, of course, Mena, when you've always——"
The blue eyes suddenly widened.
"But—but not always—papa and mamma—it seems only yesterday—— No, you—all these years—— But then I can't be only ten! My goodness, what a funny rumbly-wumble in my head—just like two dreams mixed up—only they're real—both of them!"
"Yes, both real—all real, Blossom."
"Except one thing," hastily put in Lennon. "It is Carmena whom I am going to marry, Elsie. Remember that."
The girl looked at him, blushing and dimpling with shy delight.
"Oh, it'll be ever so much nicer, 'cause then I can be just your dear little sister, and Mena loves you a thousand times more."
Carmena's cheeks flooded with scarlet, but she faced Lennon with a look of unflinching candour.