"Oh, I would rather live with you. The Colonel wants to give me a farm—don't want any farm."
"Well, well—we'll see about it later."
"The trouble would be, sir, who's to shave the Colonel?"
"That's serious," said John, as he rode away to rejoin Leila, who had meant to keep their secret from the village until their aunt's return. Three days went by before Ann Penhallow's letter of reply came to hand.
"Well, any more news, Leila?" said John.
"Yes, but not altogether pleasant—I am to leave early tomorrow. Uncle Jim will meet me in Philadelphia—and, oh! I know Aunt Ann well—there will be no end of shopping."
"I should feel worse about it, Leila, but I see by one of my letters that there is some row in Pittsburgh over our last rails. I am not responsible, but I must go to-night and see about it. Isn't it dreadful, Leila?"
The two having come of late into a great inheritance in fairyland demanding close personal attention were at one as regarded absence.
After dinner Leila said, "My order to report to headquarters from heart-quarters was in the second post-script. I have saved the rest of the letter for you."
"Read it, please."