Pat looked out of the window. There had been a frost the night before and the garden had a blighted look. She had been hoping mother wouldn’t ask that question.

“I do really, mother, but perhaps not in just the way you mean.”

“There’s only the one way,” said mother softly.

“Then I’m one of the kind of people who can’t love that way. I’ve tried…and I can’t.”

“It doesn’t come by trying either,” said mother.

“Mother dear, I’m terribly fond of David. We suit each other…our minds click. He loves the same things I do. I’m always happy with him…we’ll always be good chums.”

Mother said no more. She picked up something she was making for Rae’s hope chest and went on putting tiny invisible stitches in it. After all perhaps it would work out. It was not what she had wanted for Pat but the child must make her own choices. David Kirk was a nice fellow…mother had always liked him. And Pat would not be far from her.

Judy came next and, for one who had always been anxious to see Pat “settled” betrayed no great delight. But she wished Pat well and was careful to say that Mr. Kirk had rale brading. Since the engagement was an accomplished fact Judy was not going to say anything against a future member of the family.

“The poor darlint, she don’t be as happy as she thinks hersilf,” Judy told Bold-and-Bad, regarding him as the only safe confidant. Only she felt that Bold-and-Bad never understood her quite so well as Gentleman Tom had done. “And after all the min she might have had! But I’m hoping the Good Man Above knows what’s bist for us all.”

To Rae Pat talked more frankly than to any one.

“Pat dear, if you love him…”

“Not as you love Brook, Rae. I’m just not capable of that sort of loving…or it doesn’t last. David needs me…or will need me when Suzanne goes. We’re not going to be married until she is…for two years at the least. I wouldn’t marry him, Rae…I wouldn’t marry anybody…if I knew I could go on living at Silver Bush. But if May stays here…and she means to…I can’t, especially when you are gone to China. I’ve always loved the Long House next to Silver Bush. I’ll be near Silver Bush…I can always look down on it and watch over it.”

“I believe that’s the real reason you’re going to marry David Kirk,” thought Rae. She looked at the shadow of the vine leaves on the bedroom floor. It looked like a dancing faun. Rae blinked to hide sudden foolish tears. Pat was going to miss something. But aloud she said only,