Chapter XXII: Housekeeping

"COME in!" said Ruth, stepping back and proceeding to lead the way to the dining-room. Then, looking up in his face, she added, questioningly, "You seem sorry? Is it not what you want to do?"

"I do not think I do," he answered slowly, putting his bag in a corner and following her in; "it has been such a sudden thing that I hardly know whether I am sorry or glad."

"That must be perplexing," she answered; "but did—was there not a choice given you?"

"Not exactly; Mr. Brown, your father's cousin, you know, thought it such a wonderful opportunity for me, that he took it for granted I should go. It will be two years before I return."

Ruth saw that it was a trouble to him, but though she would have been glad to console, she hardly knew what to say. Oh, why was not Mary here, who always knew the right thing to comfort people?

"You will be glad of it afterwards," she ventured, gently.

"You think I shall?" he answered, eagerly.

"I know I have been about these children," she said. "I felt so badly about their coming, and Mary and our good old housekeeper, Morris, both told me God could turn the seeming hard things into good, if we would trust Him."

Vincent looked into her face earnestly.

"You are right," he said. "We ought to be able to trust, but—" he paused.

"Mary would say," said Ruth, "that we must take the 'but' to God, and let Him turn it into 'best.'"

"I will try to let Him," said Vincent, in a voice that somehow sounded unlike his ordinary one. Ruth wondered, and then, as he took his hat in his hand as if to go, she said pleasantly:—

"Will you come back and eat some of my pie at lunch-time? It will be our dinner, for we are very primitive here."

"I should like it of all things," he answered. "But here is Dr. Brown's note. I had forgotten that."

So Vincent departed with his bag, promising to return in due time, Ruth giving full instructions as to the direction of Heston's walk, and begging her visitor not to lose himself searching for him.

She went back to Morris and her pie with her thoughts very full of Mary's brother, and of wonder as to what should make him so very loth to go to New York when the opportunity was thought to be so very good.

True to the time, the three from the beach duly turned up, followed very soon by Heston and Vincent.

Ruth's dinner passed off very satisfactorily. Her pie, thanks to Morris's clever instructions and Ruth's dainty carrying of them out, was all that could be desired, and Heston and the children did not spare their praises. Vincent said he did not expect anything else, which made Heston laugh and ask if that were intended for a compliment or otherwise.

Then he and Vincent volunteered to meet Dr. Brown at the Junction, going by the cliff, which Heston said was a lovely walk.

They both tried to persuade Ruth to go too, but though she would have dearly liked to have the walk, she said she had housekeeping duties to perform, and gladly saw them start, and to be left free for a little while.

"You are tired, dearie," said Morris, when she brought her an early cup of tea.

"No-o," said Ruth, "I do not know that I am; but I think, Morris, if I had been more used to doing things, I should not find it quite such a task!" She sighed a little wearily.

"I do not think any of us quite realized what a 'Furnished House' meant, dearie! But this is one way of 'learning to do things,' as you wished, isn't it?"

"I suppose it is," said Ruth, "but I would rather have learned quietly with you at home, Morris."