Page:The Star in the Window.pdf/52

42 all sorts of time to get all caught-up and acquainted again with all my old Ridgefield friends. I told Hattie this morning I was bound to put in my last day 'Ridgefielding'! So I've been doing the town all day. Came up on an early train, made eleven calls in all, and had a real good time. Dinner this noon with Auntie Bliss, nearest relative on my mother's side, and now supper with Cousin David and you folks. It's just splendid to get back to these blessed old hills," she exclaimed. "No place like home, you know," she chuckled. "No place in this world like New England. That's what I say! Bless me, I wouldn't have missed this little chance to see you good people for anything in this world. No, I wouldn't, I declare! Seems to me Eunice is looking pretty well."

"Well, I'm not feeling so," objected the invalid.

"What a shame! My heart just goes out to anybody tied to a chair." It wasn't a topic that was ever discussed, and Aunt Augusta's eyes grew dark and angry. "Twenty-five years! Bless me! I couldn't be so patient. You're just a wonder, Eunice. Anyhow, Augusta, the years don't seem to have made much impression on you. You don't look a day older."

"Well, I am!" snapped Aunt Augusta.

"The only change I see," unscathed Cousin Pattie went on, "is in Reba here. She was just a child when I was here before, and now I expect she's old enough to get married. Perhaps she's going to be, for all I know. Perhaps the day's all set. Dear me! You know the girls over there in Japan get married—" and she launched forth on a long lively description of Japanese customs. David, at this juncture, with no excuse or word of explanation, shoved back his chair and went