All that in three months! And there were still a million wonders to see. I loved and shall always love these radiant, sun-drenched uncrowded lands. But my heart was heavy as lead. For I was homesick. My eyes were tired of alien starshine, of alien, unfamiliar things, and my heart cried out for the little home towns of my own country. But I could not go back for many, many months. So I learned Spanish and hobnobbed with wonderfully wise and delightful Spanish grandmothers. I grew to love some darling Indian babies. I interviewed interesting South American cowboys and discussed war and socialism with an Argentine navy officer. I exchanged calls and true blue friendships with soft-voiced Englishwomen. And I took tea and dinner aboard the ships of Welsh sea captains from Cardiff. I had a wonderful time. I filled my notebook, took pictures and collected souvenirs. I laughed and told stories. Folks down there said I was good company. But oh! In the hush of a rain-splashed night, when the fire in the grate dozed and dreamed and a boat siren somewhere out on the inky La Plata wailed and moaned through the black night, my heart flew back over those gray-green waves to a little town that I knew in the U. S. A. And to ease my longing I wrote Green Valley. KATHARINE REYNOLDS. CONTENTS CHAPTER I EAST AND WEST II SPRING IN GREEN VALLEY III THE LAST OF THE CHURCHILLS IV A RAINY DAY V CYNTHIA'S SON VI GOSSIP VII THE WEDDING VIII LILAC TIME IX GREEN VALLEY MEN X THE KNOLL XI GETTING ACQUAINTED XII THE PATH OF TRUE LOVE XIII AUTUMN IN GREEN VALLEY XIV THE CHARM XV INDIAN SUMMER XVI THE HOUSEWARMING XVII THE LITTLE SLIPPER XVIII THE MORNING AFTER XIX A GRAY DAY XX CHRISTMAS BELLS XXI FANNY'S HOUR XXII BEFORE THE DAWN XXIII FANNY COMES BACK XXIV HOME AGAIN GREEN VALLEY CHAPTER I EAST AND WEST "Joshua Churchill's dying in California and Nanny Ainslee's leaving to-night for Japan! And there's been a wreck between here and Spring Road!" Fanny fairly gasped out the astounding news. Then she sank down into Grandma Wentworth's comfortable kitchen rocker and went into details. "The two telegrams just came through. Uncle Tony's gone down to the wreck. I happened to be standing talking to him when Denny came running out of the station. Isn't it too bad Denny's so bow-legged? Though I don't know as it hinders him from running to any noticeable extent. I had an awful time trying to keep up so's to find out what had happened. I bet you Nan's packing right this minute and just loving it. My--ain't some people born lucky? Think of having the whole world to run around in!" The telephone tinkled. "Yes, Nan," Grandma smiled as she answered, "I know. Fanny's just this minute telling me. Yes, of course I can. I'll be over as soon as my bread's done baking. Yes--I'll bring along some of my lavender to pack in with your things."