Mrs. Cameron. I trust father will be better in a day or two, when he will thank you. The trip has been more than he could bear."
"I am expecting Ben home this week," the mother whispered. "I need not tell you that he will be delighted at your coming."
Elsie smiled and blushed.
"And I'll expect Captain Stoneman to see me very soon," said Margaret, softly. "You will not forget to tell him for me?"
"He's a very retiring young man," said Elsie, "and pretends to be busy about our baggage just now. I'm sure he will find the way."
Elsie fell in love at sight with Marion and her mother. Their easy genial manners, the genuineness of their welcome, and the simple kindness with which they sought to make her feel at home put her heart into a warm glow.
Mrs. Lenoir explained the conveniences of the place and apologised for its defects, the results of the war.
"I am sorry about the window-curtains—we have used them all for dresses. Marion is a genius with a needle, and we took the last pair out of the parlour to make a dress for a birthday party. The year before, we used the ones in my room for a costume at a starvation party in a benefit for our rector—you know we're Episcopalians—strayed up here for our health from Charleston among these good Scotch Presbyterians."
"We will soon place curtains at the windows," said Elsie, cheerfully.
