But Cousin Helen could "read between the lines," and out of Katy's very reserve she constructed an idea of Ned which satisfied her pretty well.
So the two happy days passed, and on the third arrived the other anxiously expected guests, Rose Red and little Rose.
They came early in the morning, when no one was particularly looking for them, which made it all the pleasanter.

Clover was on the porch twisting the honeysuckle tendrils upon the trellis when the carriage drove up to the gate, and Rose's sunny face popped out of the window.

Clover recognized her at once, and with a shriek which brought all the others downstairs, flew down the path, and had little Rose in her arms before any one else could get there.
"You see before you a deserted wife," was Rose's first salutation.
"Deniston has just dumped us on the wharf, and gone on to Chicago in that abominable boat, leaving me to your tender mercies.

O Business, Business! what crimes are committed in thy name, as Madame Roland would say!" "Never mind Deniston," cried Clover, with a rapturous squeeze.

"Let us play that he doesn't exist, for a little while.