He looked up to seize Josiah by the hand, exclaiming, "How did you get here?—I am glad to see you. Pull off this boot. How are they all?"
"The Colonel he sent me."
"Indeed! How is he? I've not heard for a month."
"He's bad, Master John, bad—kind of forgets things—and swears."
"That's strange for him."
"The doctors they can't seem to make it out. He hasn't put a leg over a horse, not since he was wounded." Evidently this was for Josiah the most serious evidence of change from former health.
"How is Aunt Ann?"
Tugging at the boots Josiah answered, "She's just a wonder—and Miss
Leila, she's just as pretty as a pansy."
Penhallow smiled; it left a large choice to the imagination.
"Pansy—pansy—why is she like a pansy, Josiah?"
"Well, Master John, it's because she's so many kinds of pretty. You see
I used to raise pansies. That boot's a tough one."