“Since then Jake has not left the old man. You need not be unhappy, Margot, for he is quite peaceful and at rest now, and he will not be left alone again until the end. I think you may tell this to Gretta and Josy, as you have all been so much interested in the ‘Little House.’ Stella will, no doubt, hear something of it from her father, and as Long Jake will be returning to Australia again almost at once--for he has nothing now to keep him here--there is no reason for his sake why the story should be kept secret. This is a long letter; I must arrange very soon to see Gretta, and will write to Miss Slater about this. We have given up the car, so I may come over by train.”
It was at this point that both heads were raised simultaneously. Both the girls’ eyes looked remarkably moist. “Oh, Margot!” burst in Gretta almost impetuously. “What an awfully brave man that Long Jake is! Fancy bearing all that!”
“And our poor old man!” said her cousin. “Oh, I’m so glad he’s happy now. It’s the most wonderful story I ever heard. But _I’m_ not surprised at anything brave Long Jake would do!”
The letter, being re-read to Josy in the dormitory before church, provoked louder if not more heart-felt adulation. “Whether that Long Jake of yours is at school or whether he _isn’t_, he ought to have the shield,” announced that damsel. “Why, the motto simply fits him _exactly_; he’s the most utterly downright ripping man I ever heard of in my life!”
“It’s funny to think that if it hadn’t been for Sybil----” began Gretta.
“Talking about Sybil,” interrupted Margot vehemently, “there’s one thing I’ve made up my mind to. I’m going to see that she has a decenter time. She _can’t_ like chattering to Adela all day. Josy, let’s take her in hand; we’ll _make_ her keen on hockey. We could easily do it; she’s as good and better at it than any of her dormer, and she’s only six months younger than me. I believe she’d be as keen as mustard in no time.”
“It’s the very thing!” Gretta was beginning, her eyes sparkling, just as nurse appeared at the dormitory door, looking remarkably brisk and business-like. “Gretta,” she announced, “you’re to go to Miss Slater’s study. No, don’t wait a moment. Go down at once!”