I might have done different, too." Richard made no comment whatever, but, like Andy, he conned the letter over and over until he knew it by heart, especially the part referring to himself.

She had cast a shadow upon his life, but she was very dear to him for all that, and he would gladly have taken back the substance, had that been possible.

This letter Richard carried to Aunt Barbara, whom he found sitting in her pleasant porch, with the May moonlight falling upon her face, and her eyes wearing the look of one who is constantly expecting something which never comes.

And Aunt Barbara was expecting Ethie.

It could not be that a young girl like her would stay away for long.