“Judy…don’t you feel well?” Pat had cried in alarm.

“Oh, oh, niver be worrying, darlint. I’m fit as a fiddle. Only I did be rading in the dead list av the paper this morning that ould Maggie Patterson had died in Charlottetown. We were cronies whin I did be coming to the Island at first and she do be only a year older than mesilf. So I just thought I’d mintion the nightdress to ye. The ould lady in Castle McDermott had one av lace and sating she always put on whin she had the doctor.”

“I’m so glad you and Rae are as you used to be, Pat,” said mother when Pat took her breakfast into her. Pat looked at mother.

“I didn’t think you knew we weren’t,” she said slowly.

Mother smiled.

“You can’t hide such things from mothers, darling. We always know. And now I think a little wise forgetfulness is indicated.”

Pat stooped and kissed her.

“My precious dear, wasn’t it lucky father fell in love with you,” she breathed.

Rae was in kinks in the hall when Pat went out.

“Oh, Pat, Pat, life is worth living. I’ve just seen Judy making Tillytuck take a dose of castor oil. You’ll never know what you’ve missed.”

Yes, life was worth living again. And now Pat felt that she could throw herself into housecleaning plans and spring renovating with a heart at leisure from itself. The days that had seemed so endless wouldn’t be half long enough now for all she wanted to crowd into them.

CHAPTER 30

David and Suzanne went to England for a trip that spring and the Long House was closed for the summer. Pat missed them terribly but Judy and Rae were consolable.

“That Suzanne has been trying iver since she come to make a match betwane her brother and Patsy,” Judy told Cuddles. “I’ve been fearing lately she’d manage it. And him as’ll soon be using hair tonics! Patsy hasn’t inny other beau after her just now. The min do be getting discouraged. Somehow the word do be going round she thinks nobody good enough for her.”

“And there really isn’t a man in the Glens she couldn’t have by just crooking her finger,” said Rae thoughtfully. “I think it’s just that way she has of saying ‘I know’ sympathetically. And she doesn’t mean a thing by it.”

“Do ye be thinking, Cuddles, that there is inny chance av Jingle coming home this summer now?”

Rae shook her head.