AT WILLOWVALE There was an early tea at Willowvale that evening, and Ruth sat at the big round table alone.

Mrs.Nelson always went to bed when the time came for packing, and Carter was late, as usual.
Ruth was glad to be alone.

She had passed through too much to be able to banish all trace of the storm.

But though her eyes were red from recent tears, they were bright with anticipation.

Sandy was coming back.