"It's all right about me; I can hire out again. It's _you_ I'm thinking of. I felt pretty sure you wouldn't go back to Ed's. I don't fancy you taking a position as lady help. I didn't know what was going to become of you, my girl. And when you told me of the job you'd been offered in England, I thought I'd have to let you go." "Without letting me know you were in trouble!" "Why, if I wasn't smashed up, d'you think I'd _let_ you go? By God, I wouldn't! I'd have kept you. By God, I'd have kept you!" "Then you're going to give up the land," she made a sweeping gesture which took in the prospect without. "No," he said, shaking his head. "I guess I can't do that. I've put too much work in it. And I've got my back up, now. I shall hire out for the summer, and next winter I can get work lumbering. The land's my own, now. I'll come back in time for the plowing next year." He had been gazing sadly out of the door as he spoke. He turned to her now ready to bring her what comfort he could. But in place of the tearful face he had expected to see, he saw a face radiant with joy and the light of love. In her hand was a little slip of colored paper which she held out to him. "Look!" "What's that?" "The nephew of the lady I was with so long--Miss Wickham, you know--has made me a present of it. Five hundred pounds. That's twenty-five hundred dollars, isn't it? You can take the quarter-section you've wanted so long, next to this one. You can get all the machinery you need. And"--she gave a little, happy, mirthful laugh--"you can get some cows! I've learned to do so many things, I guess I can learn to milk, if you'll teach me and be very, very patient about it. Anyway, it's yours to do what you like with. Now, will you keep me?" "Oh, my girl, how shall I ever be able to repay you!" "Good Heavens, I don't want thanks! There's nothing in all the world so wonderful as to be able to give to one you love. Frank, won't you kiss me?" He folded her in his arms. "I guess it's the first time you ever asked me to do that!" "I'm sure I'm the happiest woman in all the world!" she said happily. As they stood in the doorway, he with his arm about her, they saw Eddie coming up the path toward them. Marsh's honest face, never a good mask for hiding his feelings, wore an expression of bewildered astonishment at their lovelike attitude. "It's all right, old dear," said Nora with a happy laugh; "don't try to understand it, you're only a man. But I'm not going back to England, to Mrs. Hubbard and her horrid little dogs; I'm going to stay right here. This overgrown baby has worked on my feelings by pretending that he needs me." "And now, if you'll be good enough to hurry Reggie a little, we'll all have some supper; it's long past the proper time." And as she bustled about her preparations, her brother heard her singing one of the long-ago songs of their childhood. * * * * *