Page:Anna Chapin--Half a dozen boys.djvu/353

Rh of a letter I had yesterday from your father. He says that he and your mother have decided to stay abroad another year, and asks if you can still be with us. Are you willing to stay?”

No need to ask. Fred’s gesture and smile were all the reply she needed.

There was another long pause. Then Bess said slowly,—

“Fred, I have one more thing to tell you, something you ought to know. I hope you will like it, for I am very, very happy. Mr. Muir has asked me to be his wife.”

“Mr. Muir! How splendid!” And Fred sprang up, in his delighted surprise.

“So you are pleased? Well, sit down again while I tell you the rest. Before the next year is over, I shall probably go with him, but it is all settled that our little new home shall  have one room in it that will always be ‘Fred’s room.’”

It was long before Fred went to sleep that night. As he still lay awake, thinking of the happy New Year opening before him, across  the still night air came the sound of a church