"Now, Holland, are we all ready? Cecilia, have you got your little bag?"
he began when they were about to depart. "Holland, my dear fellow, don't
think me interfering if I ask whether you have locked to all the doors
and windows? Tramps and thieves are so apt to break into shut-up houses,
and it would be such a pity if anything happened to any of your pretty
things. Ah, what an expanse of snow. Beautiful, isn't it? You may talk
about your tropical scenery, Hen, but we shan't see anything finer than
this the world over. What a contrast the south will be though, eh, old
man?" and, drawing the detective's arm through his, leaning heavily upon
him meanwhile, McVay moved forward, talking volubly.

Cecilia and Geoffrey hesitated a moment looking up at the house that had
seen such momentous changes in their lives.

"When we come back, it will be spring," said Geoffrey softly.

"Oh," said the girl in rather a shaky voice, "you like me well enough to
ask me to stay again?"

"Well enough," said Geoffrey, "to ask you to stay forever."