'Miss Gwen is a Christian,' Patty said solemnly. 'She wouldn't be
marryin' a heathen who keeps wives by the score, and eats them up by
turns!'

And Gwen laughingly assured them that she meant to return as she
went--a single woman.

The days slipped by; Gwen, with her usual energy and determination,
arranged for her journey in every detail, and when the time came, took
leave of her sisters with cheerful equanimity.

'It is not for very long,' she said; 'and if you want me back sooner,
you have only to wire and tell me so. I shall be back, I hope, before
Christmas.'

But Christmas seemed to Agatha a long way off, and she perhaps of all
the sisters felt most depressed at Gwen's departure.

CHAPTER X

Clare's Discovery

'A closed bud containeth
Possibilities infinite and unknown.'

Life went on very quietly with the three who were left. Elfie was the
sunshine of the house; her ringing laugh and little snatches of song,
as she came in and out, cheered all who heard her. And Clare, fitful
and uncertain in her bright moods, could not understand Elfie's
unfailing good-humour.

'You never will take life seriously,' she said to her one morning after
breakfast, as they were waiting for the postman in the garden, and
Elfie had seated herself on the top bar of the gate, swinging herself
to and fro, and trilling out an old English ditty as she did so.

'I can't make cares when we have none,' she responded laughingly; 'I
have never been so happy in my life as I am now.'

'I wish I could be contented with so little.'

'Oh, you! You're always straining after shadows, and won't live in the
present at all. Now tell me, what have you to make you unhappy to-day?
You're expecting a letter from Hugh, and Miss Villars is coming to tea
with us this afternoon. Those are two pleasures for you. And then
look at our weather! This is an ideal summer.

"Strange that summer skies and sunshine
Never seem one half so fair,
As when winter's snowy pinions
Shake the white down in the air."

Why don't you live in the present?'

'Don't preach,' said Clare carelessly; 'it's too warm this morning to
argue. Here comes that lazy man at last!'

Elfie sprang down and seized the letters with a bright nod of welcome
to the stolid-looking postman.

'Here is one from Gwen! Agatha will be pleased; and here is Hugh's!
Now, Clare, be happy! And there is not one for me, so I shall go to
Agatha to hear how Gwen