After a short, but exceedingly earnest, confab in a cosy corner just off the hall, Anne and David had appeared arm in arm, and, to an accompaniment of meaning smiles, had announced their engagement.

Although Miriam Nesbit was entirely unaware of it, four pairs of eyes, belonging to the feminine half of the Eight Originals had kept a lynx-like watch upon her and Everett Southard.
Afterward Grace confided to Anne that she believed Miriam did like Mr.
Southard a little, and it was quite plain to be seen that Mr.Southard cared for her, while Jessica and Nora were wagging their heads in secret agreement of the same belief.
Only one thing marred Grace's pleasure in being at home and that was the thought that she was making Tom Gray unhappy.

Outwardly he was the same sunny, smiling Tom she had known for so many years, but there were times when the mask of cheerfulness fell away and Grace read in his eyes a look of pain and longing that caused her to reproach herself.

Then her honest nature would reassert itself and she would vow never to promise to marry Tom out of sympathy.

Unless there came a time when she was absolutely convinced that he meant more to her than her work she and Tom would have to go on in the same old way.
But aside from this one cloud it seemed to Grace that she had never before so fully appreciated her father and mother.