Page:Emma Speed Sampson--The shorn lamb.djvu/196

192 have a companion like Doctor when she roamed around the place! There would be no more lonesome times then. Now there were lonesome times, in spite of the many visits to Aunt Pearly Gates and the long, intimate talks she had with Major Taylor in the evening; in spite of the new friends she had made among the dumb creatures on the farm and the kindness shown her by all of the colored people employed by her grandfather.

Rebecca loved the country life, but there were times when she longed for the merry old days in the studio, with the talky parties. She longed for the excitement of the crowded New York streets, for the life, color, camaraderie of the artists' quarter where her years had been spent. She longed for Mrs. O'Shea, and the many tales of dire misfortune that had befallen her and her family. Above all, she longed for the dear man whom she had called Daddy, who had been to her such a charming companion, counselor and guide. Rebecca was devoted to her grandfather, whose affection for her was evident to all, but she had seen little of him for the last six weeks. He was engrossed with business at the hub factory, sometimes not even coming home for the sacred rite of the half-after-two dinner. When