Fidelia laughed. "Well, I don't feel as if I was anybody in particular. No, dear, I'm not cross. I am going to be as entertaining as possible, and do you credit. And, besides, there's the dinner-bell. It is too late now to think of changing anything." A pleasant surprise awaited her, and she found it easy not to be cross. Not only Dr Justin was there, but Dr Everett himself, returning home with his brother from the first brief holiday they had enjoyed together for many a year. She came into the dining-room with him, and sat beside him, and feared no stranger of them all. "Tell me about my Eunice," she said softly, as the talk flowed on around them. "Eunice is all right. I am not sure that I shall be justified in saying the same to her about you. Are you well, child?" "As well as well can be. Yes, I got thin and pale; but so did a good many others. It is a way they have over there, towards the end of the year. I came here to freshen myself up a little before showing myself to Eunice. When are you going home, Dr Everett?" "I am going to-morrow. No, you cannot go with me. I am going round by W--, and shall not see home for two days yet." "Oh, dear, I am sorry--that I can't go with you, I mean! It would be a good excuse to get away--to go with you. I promised to stay ten days, but I am getting homesick." "You had better keep your promise. Your sister has company just now, and does not need you." "Yes, I know; but that is one reason why I should be at home. Eunice must have too much to do." "No, she has not. It is Ruby Stone who is doing now. Don't worry about Eunice. She is in good hands. Mrs Stone loved your sister before you were born; Eunice is all right." There was nothing more to be said, but Fidelia was by no means sure that she would not shorten her visit; and her next thought was that she need not see much of the visitors while she stayed. But she did see a good deal of them. That night it rained. There could be no wandering under the elms by moonlight. It grew dark early, and chilly, and a fire of dry wood was made in the sitting-room, partly for the warmth and partly for brightness. The elder people gathered round it, and a great deal of pleasant talk went on among them. The visitors--besides the two doctors--were Mr and Mrs Abner Kent, their daughter Ella, and their niece Miss Avery. They were from Boston, and belonged to one of the "first families" of that chief city. They were rich--so rich that, like the king and preacher, they might have possessed themselves of "whatsoever their eyes desired." They had done something in that direction, their neighbours were inclined to think, for they had travelled much on both sides of the sea, and had brought home many of the rare and beautiful things which only much money can buy. Miss Kent was tall and dark, with a good face; Miss Avery was beautiful--small and fair, with shining curls, and pretty, coaxing ways; but Fidelia liked Miss Kent's face best.