Hildegarde, red as a rose, folded the letter. "Sally is taking a great deal for granted."
But not too much! The old aunts knew that.
"If we could have you until spring," Aunt Catherine ventured, "we should like it. But we want you to do as you think best."
Looking at the wistful old faces, Hildegarde said: "Don't worry. I'll stay with you through the winter. I'd like a wedding in May—" She caught herself up. "I am talking as if it were settled."
It was settled. In her mind and in theirs, as it had been in Sally's!
Hildegarde went to the train to meet her lover. The two of them returned in a heavy downpour. After the greetings were over, one of the aunts said:
"I am sorry it rains."
"Why be sorry? We love it, Hildegarde and I. With the leaves blowing."
Crispin had his arm about Hildegarde. It was beautiful to see them. They shed a rosy light over the dark old house.
From her shelter Hildegarde announced, "We are going for a walk."
"In this storm?"
