"Thank you, dear papa," said Grace. "I shall work just as hard, because I love to work, and because I am thus returning to the world some part of what I owe it; and next year, who knows, I may be able to pay Eva's bills at Miss L——'s."
Eva jumped up and down with delight.
Then came supper, served in Mrs. Wainwright's room, and after that music and a long merry talk, and at last, lest Mrs. Wainwright should be weary, the Raeburns took their way homeward over the lane and across the fields to the Manse.
Grace from the tower window watched them going, the light of the moon falling in golden clearness over the fields and farms just waiting for spring,
"To serve the present age
My calling to fulfill,
she whispered to herself. "Good-night, dear ones all, good-night," she said a little later climbing up the tower stair to her new room.
"God bless you, middle daughter," said her father's deep tones.
Soft, hushed footsteps pattered after the girl, step by step. She thought herself all alone as she shut the door, but presently a cold nose was thrust against her hand, a furry head rubbed her knee. Fido, the pet fox-terrier, had determined for his part to share the tower-room.