I was welcomed at Brandon as rapturously as if I had come out of a long exile, and delightful it was to see the dear faces after even a short absence. It seemed to me as if I had been ages away, and I was rather surprised that the ducklings which had come out just before I left appeared much the same black-eyed balls of yellow fluff, and that the year had advanced so little during my memorable eight days of absence. I had so much to tell them that though I had travelled all night I did not feel inclined to go to bed. I spent the morning over my unpacking and distributing the little gifts I had brought for each one. I kept till the afternoon,--when the young ones should have dispersed and left me with Aline,--the wonderful discovery I had made about Freda. Well, Aline didn't know whether to cry or be vexed or glad over the knowledge that our Freda--about whom we had built so many golden dreams--was after all in the ranks of the workers. Yet I think, on the whole, the relief of knowing that she was the same dear, generous girl, only empty-handed now, outweighed all the rest. Then my stories about Magnolia Cottage and Mrs. Vincent and Jacky were so pleasant that Aline, after a bit, grew reconciled to Freda's change of fortune. I gave her an imploring little note which Freda had intrusted me with, asking her to forgive the deception, which was never seriously meant, and had somehow grown up of itself. The humility of it brought the tears into Aline's eyes. "I will write to her at once, dear girl," she said, going to her writing-table. As she looked for a pen a sound caught our ears. "Ah," she said, "it is Esther! We have not seen her all the week. Entertain them, dear Hilda, while I scribble a few words." But when I went downstairs I found the pony and phaeton with Dobson, and a note from Lady O'Brien, saying that Esther had a sick headache and was being kept in bed, but longed to see me; and would I drive over and stay for dinner, or the night if I would? "Yes, go," said Aline, "but you had better stay the night, dear. It would be too much to drive back here after your journey last night." So I put one or two necessary things into a hand-bag, and drove off to Annagower. When I went into the drawing-room I found Lady O'Brien alone, but no Esther. "Your sister is asleep, Hilda," she said; "and I won't waken her, for I want a good long chat with you. Just take off your hat and cloak and come to the fire, and we'll have tea in, and be comfortable. Have you a pair of slippers in your bag? Well, just put them on,--don't mind going upstairs. You look rather fagged already." I found the low chair and the footstool before the fire very comfortable indeed, for I was tired, but by no means sleepy. I felt that Lady O'Brien wanted to say something, and feeling sure that it was about Esther's trouble, I was too interested to be sleepy.