my easy, prosperous, level life. It's out of the depths we
bring up happiness, Alexina. And come what may, I've known, am knowing
it--nothing can take the knowledge from me now."

She was crying again, her head bent against the window pane. "I never
knew how to get near to any one; I've been alone all my life till now.
Maybe you have been lonely all along. I didn't know. Living with
Austen and me--oh, I'm sorry for you, Alexina. I'm going away now with
Stephen; but when we come back I mean to make it up to you and see
that you have opportunities and friends. Oh, Alexina, we do all
require it, the joy of having some one needing us. And you'll be nice
to Louise for me, won't you, while we're gone?"

Louise was the sister of Stephen, and she and the babies were to
remain in Louisville in the house the Major and Harriet had taken
against their return, an unpretentious house on a cross street.

"Stephen has arranged it all," Harriet was saying; "he won't let me do
a thing. He will not consider for a moment that he isn't going to be
able to keep his position on the paper; they're filling it for him
among themselves still. If he wasn't so--so fiercely proud! It's
Austen that rankles, you see."

There was a movement on the couch. Harriet went swiftly over to the
waker. It is on Olympus they take time for deliberate and stately
progression; Harriet had come down to the human world.

"It's a soporific thing," quoth the Major, "listening to one's own
editorials. I never heard one through before. You there, Alexina?
Where have you been these two days? I hope you're not holding it
against us that Georgy is sending all his flowers to me? It's his
delicate way, you see; reaching round through me via Harriet to you."

There was a tap and the little Sister entered. It was company. It was
always company. The Major's life had been close to the heart and
centre of things. It was laughable to see the reserved Harriet's pride
in his popularity. It was a certain judge this time, and with him an
old comrade-at-arms, come up from the Pennyroyal to see him.

"But had you better?" Harriet expostulated.

The Major caught her hand and laughed at her. "But these are fond
farewells, you see, dear lady," he explained.

Was he drawing her to him by the hand he held? For suddenly Harriet
bent over and kissed him; nor did Alexina feel any consciousness or
shame, and the little Sister went out softly with glistening eyes.

So it came about that