"Billy, it was good of you to come," Rachael said, kissing her quite naturally as they met. "I never thought of doing anything else," Billy said, breathing the fresh salt air with obvious pleasure. "I had no idea that it was such a trip. But he was an angel--look at them now, aren't they cute together?" Rachael's boys had taken eager possession of their guest; the three were fast making friends as they trotted along together toward the old motor car that Rachael ran herself. "It's a joy to them," their mother said. "Get in here next to me, Bill; I'm not going even to look at you until I get you home. Did you ever see the water look so delicious? We'll all go down for a dip pretty soon. I live so simply here that I'm entirely out of the way of entertaining a guest, but now that you're here, you must stay and have a little rest yourself!" "Oh, thank you, but--" Billy began in perfunctory regret. Her tone changed: "I should love to!" she said honestly. Rachael laughed. "So funny to hear your old voice, Bill, and your old expressions." "I was just thinking that you've not changed much, Rachael." "I? Oh, but I've gray hair! Getting old fast, Billum." "And how's Greg?" Billy did not understand the sudden shadow that fell across Rachael's face, but she saw it, and wondered. "Very well, my dear." "Does he get down here often? It's a hard trip." "He always comes in his car. They make it in--I don't know--something like two hours and ten minutes, I think. This is my house, with all its hydrangeas in full bloom. Yes, isn't it nice? And here's Mary for Breckenridge's bag." Rachael had got out of the car, and now she gave Billy's boy her hand, and stood ready to help him down. "Well, Breck," said she, "do you think you are going to like my house, and my little boys? Will you give Aunt Rachael a kiss?" Billy said nothing as the child embraced his new-found relative heartily, nor when Rachael took her upstairs to show her the third hammock between the other two, and herself invested the visitor in blue overalls and a wide hat. But late that evening, after a silence, she said suddenly: "You're more charming than ever, Rachael; you're one of the sweetest women I ever saw!" "Thank you!" Rachael said with a little note of real pleasure under her laugh. "You've grown so gentle, and good," said Billy a little awkwardly. "Perhaps it's just because you're so sweet to Breck, and because you have such a nice way with children, but I--I am ever and ever so grateful to you! I've often thought of you, all this time, and of the old days, and been glad that so much happiness of every sort has come to you. At first I felt dreadfully--at that time, you know--" She stopped and faltered, but Rachael looked at her kindly. They were sitting on the wide porch, under the velvet-black arch of the starry sky, and watching the occasional twinkle of lights on the dark surface of the bay. "You may say anything you like to me, Billy," Rachael said.