her eyes. What guests were trying to elbow their
way into her mental home? As soon as they had reached the path her aunt
turned. Sylvia spoke, and her tone was gentle.

"You needn't carry anything, Aunt Martha. I'm used to running about
here loaded."

Miss Lacey glanced up at her quickly. That dark look which had at first
met her recognition had now melted into light. There was no mistaking
the girl's expression as they stood facing each other behind the
shelter of a clump of firs.

"Oh, my dear, my dear!" exclaimed Miss Martha brokenly, grasping her
niece's arms and gazing into her eyes, "I am very glad to see you."

"You were kind to come," returned Sylvia, and she kissed Miss Martha's
cheek under the scooping hat. Then they walked on.

"What these few weeks have done for you, Sylvia! Perfect rest, good
food, the best air in the world, regular hours and no care, ought to
work a miracle when one is nineteen, and they have in you. If it hadn't
been for those short curls of yours I shouldn't have recognized you at
first."

They moved slowly along the path, and Sylvia asked for Miss Derwent.

"She's as happy as the days are long," declared Miss Lacey. "She told
me to bring you back if I could."

"How kind. Thinkright will sail me over some day to call. He went to
town this morning. I hope he'll not miss your visit altogether."

As soon as they had reached the clearing from which the farmhouse was
visible Sylvia gave an exclamation of satisfaction. "There they are;
there are the horses! He has come."

They could see the team taken out from the wagon, standing near the
barn, their harness dangling while Thinkright and Cap'n Lem were
stooping over some object which the wagon hid from the view of those
below.

"Wouldn't you like to go and speak to him?" asked Sylvia.

Miss Martha looked at her curiously. The eager tone and the face all
alight were eloquent. Well, Thinkright doubtless deserved it.

"Yes, let's go and see what they are working over."

Sylvia dropped her cushion, and the books on top of it, and the two
hurried toward the barn.

Before the engrossed men perceived their approach Sylvia saw that it
was a slender, graceful boat which was absorbing their attention. It
was varnished within and without, the golden brown wood glinting in the
sun. Two pairs of oars lay on the grass.

"Oh, Thinkright, what a beauty!" exclaimed Sylvia. The men looked up,
smiling. "Here is Aunt Martha," added the girl.