once to her father and kissed him, and running, threw her arms around
Patty, who responded listlessly.

"She needs Kelstein air," explained Mr. Wesley. "I protest it seems
to agree with _you_, Mehetabel."

"But tell me all the news, father," Hetty demanded, with an arm about
her sister's waist and a glance at Mrs. Grantham, which asked pardon
for her freedom.

"Your sister shall tell it, my dear," answered that good woman,
"while I am persuading your father to sup with us. I have given them
a room together," she explained to Mr. Wesley. "I thought it would
be pleasanter for them."

"You are kindness itself, madam."

Hetty led the way upstairs. "It is all strange at first, dear: I
know the feeling. But see how cosy we shall be." She threw the door
open, and showed a room far more comfortably furnished than any at
Wroote or Epworth. The housemaid, who adored Hetty, had even lit a
fire in the grate. Two beds with white coverlets, coarse but
exquisitely clean, stood side by side--"Though we won't use them
both. I must have you in my arms, and drink in every word you have
to tell me till you drop off to sleep in spite of me, and hold you
even then. Oh, Patty, it is good to have you here!"

But Patty, having untied the strings of her hat, tossed it on to the
edge of her bed and collapsed beside it.