"So she has of me. Leastways," added Bessie in her characteristic manner, "she is making me. The business is not near finished yet."
"It's all right," whispered David to Mrs. Waring as they went into tea.
"I'm so glad," was her reply, "doubly glad."
There was really no need for him to tell her this; his face told the story so plainly--so very plainly--that when tea was over, and they were standing in Sunshine Patch, Mrs. Colston went up to them and said:
"And so you young folks have made each other happy."
"Why, how do you know? Who told you?" exclaimed Bessie.
"Know! Who told me? There was no need for anybody to tell me. Your faces tell the tale. Well, do you think you'll get on together all right?"
"I can get on with anybody," sang out Bessie, "if they only let me have my own way."
"Do you think we shall, Mrs. Colston?" asked David.
"Yes, I've watched you, and I do think you will; but you must neither try to get in front of the other. It must be side by side." Taking a hand of each, she said in a sweet, serious way: "May the Lord bless you both; may you not only be strength to each other but to many besides."
"You dear!" exclaimed Bessie, flinging her arms round her neck, and kissing her, while the tears streamed down her face; "if I'm only half as good as you, I'll do."
"Nay, nay, child, you must not take any measurement by a mortal; Jesus is our measure. But look here, dears, you've both got to go in and tell your story to mother next door. Don't leave her in the cold. But, mark you, you'll have no silver forks to eat your pears with."
"Oh, yes, she shall," exclaimed David as they both went away laughing.
That same evening Phebe and Nanna talked this courtship over, and concluded that things were going on all right. Then Phebe started a fresh subject. "Perhaps you have wondered, Nanna, dear, what Mr. Black came about. I felt I could not tell you about it all in a hurry; it was too exciting, and I have not had a quiet moment till now."
"It's all right, dearie; I knew you would tell me at the proper time."
"Ah, my dear, I wish I always had your calmness."
"I wonder how it is so many folks seem to envy me! I have nothing everybody cannot have as well as me."
"Tell me in a word what you think your secret is, could you?"