Aunt Barbara saw it all, and this, if nothing else, would have brought entire pardon even had she been inclined to withhold it, which she was not.

Ethie was back again, and that was enough for her.

She would not chide or blame her ever so little, and her warm, loving hands took the thin white face and held it while she kissed the parted lips, the blue-veined forehead, and the hollow cheeks, whispering: "My own darling.

I am so glad to have you back.

I have been so sad without you, and mourned for you so much, fearing you were dead.
Where has my darling been that none of us could find you ?" "Did you hunt, Aunt Barbara?
Did you really hunt for me ?" And something of Ethie's old self leaped into her eyes and flushed into her cheeks as she asked the question.
"Yes, darling.