“You are not the first one I have heard say he felt that way about this little countryside. It just sort of tacks itself on as part of you.”
“It is always that way with me anyway,” said Eileen. “As for Phil, he hasn’t been here long enough to feel the same.”
“Maybe Phil will be having a little picture of Victoria in his mind’s eye!” was Jim’s caustic comment, to which he received no answer.
“Well!––aren’t you going to see the lady home?” he continued, addressing Phil.
“I guess one of us should,” answered Phil with alacrity.
“Off you go then! Hitch your own nag on behind, Phil. By the time you get back I’ll have the dishes washed up and everything looking lovely.”
Eileen went up to the big fellow and patted his cheek.
“You’re just a dear old grouchy grandpa.”
“And my age is exactly twenty-eight,” he grinned.