Drusilla looked up at her.

"You've been real kind, Miss Thornton; you've thought of everything."

"But I loved it. I've been working ever since Father knew about you."

"It is nice of you to be here. I was afraid a little to come, not
knowin' what it was goin' to be like."

"That's what I told Father. I said you didn't want to come into a
big cold house with only a cold lawyer like him to say, 'Welcome
home.' I made him let me come. I'm going to stay to dinner with you
if you'll invite me. We'll send Father home. I don't live far from
here--only about five minutes in the car--and Father can send back
for me. Would you like me to stay?"

Drusilla leaned forward eagerly.

"Oh, do stay, Miss Thornton. I--I--well, I wouldn't know what to do
by myself."

"Well, you sit here by this fire and I'll go down and tell Father to
go away. You don't want to hear any more business to-night and Father
_always_ talks business. Just you take a little nap while I'm gone.
Are you comfortable? There! I'll be back in five minutes."

Drusilla sat down in the comfortable chair and watched the flames
flickering in the grate; then her eyes passed lovingly around the
room, resting on each beautiful picture, on the soft draperies, the
easy-chairs and the flowers. She sat as one in a dream, until light