It was morning before the note was written, but when the morning
came Bessy had written it and brought it to her mother.

"You must take it to papa," she said. Then she went and hid herself
from all eyes till the noon had passed. "Dear Godfrey," the letter
ran, "Papa says that you will return on Wednesday if I write to ask
you. Do come back to us,--if you wish it. Yours always, Bessy."

"It is as good as though she had filled the sheet," said the Major.
But in sending it to Godfrey Holmes, he did not omit a few
accompanying remarks of his own.

An answer came from Godfrey by return of post; and on the afternoon
of the sixth of January, Frank Garrow drove over to the station at
Penrith to meet him. On their way back to Thwaite Hall there grew
up a very close confidence between the two future brothers-in-law,
and Frank explained with great perspicuity a little plan which he
had arranged himself. "As soon as it is dark, so that she won't see
it, Harry will hang it up in the dining-room," he said, "and mind
you go in there before you go anywhere else."

"I am very glad you have come back, Godfrey," said the Major,
meeting him in the hall.

"God bless you, dear Godfrey," said Mrs. Garrow, "you will find
Bessy in the dining-room," she whispered; but in so whispering she
was quite unconscious of the mistletoe bough.

And so also was Bessy, nor do I think that she was much more
conscious when that introduction was over. Godfrey had made all