“Ye’ll be getting the one ye are to get. A thing like that don’t be left to chance, Patsy.”

“Anyway, Judy, we won’t talk of this anymore. It…it isn’t pleasant. I’m free once more…free to love and live for Silver Bush. That’s all that matters. Free! It’s a wonderful word.”

When Pat had gone out Judy knitted inscrutably for a while. Then she remarked to Bold-and-Bad,

“So that do be the last av the widower, thank the Good Man Above.”

CHAPTER 50

The breaking of Pat’s engagement made but little flurry in the clan. They had given up expecting anything else of this fickle wayward girl. May said she had always looked for it…she knew David wasn’t really the marrying kind. Dad said nothing…what was there to say? Mother understood, as always. In her heart mother was relieved. Suzanne understood, too.

“I’m sorry…terribly sorry…and bitterly disappointed. But it was just one of the things that had to be.”

“It’s nice to be able to lay the blame of everything on predestination,” said Pat ruefully. “I feel I’ve failed you…and David…and I’m ever so fond of him…”

“That might be enough for some men, but not David,” said Suzanne quietly. “I wish it could have been different, Pat dear…but it can’t be, so we must just put it behind us and go on.”

When Suzanne was married and David had gone the Long House was closed and lightless once more. Again it was the Long Lonely House. Some houses are like that…they have a doom on them which they can never long escape.

Pat took stock of things. She was at peace. Her whole world had been temporarily wrecked…ruined…turned upside down, but nothing had really changed in Silver Bush. There was no longer anything to come between her and it…never would be again. She was through with love and all its counterfeits. Henceforth Silver Bush would have no rival in her heart. She could live for it alone. There might be some hours of loneliness. But there was something wonderful even in loneliness. At least you belonged to yourself when you were lonely.

Pat flung back her brown head and her brown eyes kindled.

“Freedom is a glad thing,” she said.

CHAPTER 51

One smoky October evening they found Judy lying unconscious in the stable beside the old white cow. She had not been allowed to do any milking for a long time but she had slipped out in the dim to do it that night, since May was away and she knew “the min” would be tired when they came home from the other place.

They carried her to her bed in the kitchen chamber and sent for Dr. Bentley. Under his ministrations she recovered consciousness but he looked very grave when he came down to the kitchen.