The idea of Judy, in a pink, cherry-blossomed “negleege” was something nobody at Silver Bush could contemplate with equanimity. But not a word was said to dissuade her. Pat assured her there was no longer any age in fashions.

Yes, Judy was going. The fact must be faced. But it no longer blocked up the future. The winter would pass…the spring would come…and Judy would come with it. Meanwhile, she was not taking Silver Bush to Ireland in her pocket. It would stay where it was, under its sheltering trees, with its fields lying cool and quiet around it. Pat, on her way home, stopped as ever at the top of the hill to gloat over it—this house where her dear ones were lying asleep.

For she had lingered long in Happiness and Silver Bush had gone to bed. There was still a light in Judy’s kitchen chamber. Judy was probably hunting through her book of useful knowledge for remedies for seasickness. Though Uncle Tom had slyly suggested that her black bottle was as good an old reliable as any.

Pat was happy. In spite of everything the autumn world was beautiful. Some of its days might bring purple gifts…some might bring peace…all would bring loveliness.

“Darling Silver Bush!” said Pat. “How could anybody ever think of leaving you if she could help it?”

She remembered how sorry she had been in childhood for the Jamesons of Silverbridge…a family who were always moving round. To be sure, they seemed to like it…but the very thought of such an existence made Pat shiver.

Long Alec was horrified at first when Pat broached the idea of borrowing the money for Rae’s year at Queen’s. But she talked him round. It was beginning to be suspected at Silver Bush that Pat could twist dad around her little finger. Rae averred she did it by flattering him but Pat indignantly denied it.

“It would be of no use to try to flatter dad. You know as well as I do, Rae, that dad is impervious to flattery.”

“Oh, oh, there do be no such man,” muttered Judy with a grin.

Flattery or not, Long Alec yielded and everything was soon arranged. Rae was wild with delight.

“If I’d had to wait till next year I’d have gone straight to the end of the world and jumped off. Emmy’s going this year and Dot Robinson and you know we’ve always been such pals. And I’m going to study, Pat…oh, am I going to study? I know everybody says the Silver Bush girls are lookers and popular with the boys but have no brains. I mean to show them. Aunt Barbara says a girl doesn’t need brains if she’s pretty but that’s an idea left over from the Victorians. Nowadays you’ve got to have brains to capitalize your good looks.”