"Well?"
Dexie sprang out on the sidewalk, and with a wave of her hand in Lancy's direction, answered the question in dramatic tones:
"See! the conquering hero comes!"
That was enough; they all understood her, and Elsie, who was standing on the doorstep, flew into the house where the busy needles were flying, shouting as she ran:
"Yes! she is going! Lancy has managed her! She is all right again!"
"There, save that little comedy till by and by, and come in here," said Mr. Sherwood, smiling, in spite of himself at the way Dexie had announced her surrender.
"Come into our house as soon as you can, Dexie," Cora called after her retreating figure. "We want you for something."
What a feeling of relief her arrival caused! They had scarcely realized how great was the tension until their anxiety was removed. But all seemed to breathe more freely, and the preparations for the concert went briskly on.
Dexie threw off her wraps in the hall, and followed her father into the sitting-room, where Aunt Jennie sat waiting.
"You are back, my dear," was the aunt's quiet greeting.