"Love, happiness, and sunshine," was what she heard. "A tiny
cottage simply furnished with a teapot and eleven cats."

There was a shout.

"Now, Alan."

The brown hand trembled a little, and the eyes under the veil
looked right into Alan's, as she spoke. "Some pain, much joy; a
slow, even growth into a glorious manhood that knows no wrong, but
lives for truth. Whatever else maybe is hidden from my sight."

"What a splendid one, Alan!" exclaimed Polly, her face flushing,
as she took in all the meaning of the words.

And Katharine added quietly,--

"You have read us very well, Aunt Ruth."

"Mamma?" exclaimed Molly and Alan, in a breath.

"Yes, mamma," answered Mrs. Hapgood's voice, as she quickly shed
her wrappings. "I thought I would have a finger in this pie, too.
But how did you know me so soon, Katharine?"

"I knew nobody else would say what you did, for it was just a part
of our talk the other day," she replied, as she unpinned the thick
veil from Mrs. Hapgood's hair.

"Good-night, Mrs. Adams," said Jean, as they stood grouped about