"But you aren't going back,—it is just our dinner-time, and we haven't said half what we have to say!"
So he dined with the brood of children in the large front room, and afterwards Alice walked down the lane with him.
"I hope you are going to stay here?" she asked warmly.
"Oh, I don't know! America doesn't seem to need me," he replied, endeavoring to joke; "not that I know any place which does. I am waiting to be called."
In spite of the joking manner there was sadness in the voice. Alice was silent for a time and then replied earnestly:—
"Perhaps you are called here—for the present."
"You mean over there?" he asked quickly, nodding in the direction of
Grafton.
"Yes!"
"Why do you think so?"
"You know Isabelle really cares for you as she doesn't for any one else in the world!"