“We’ll see, daughter,” said the major kindly. “I guess there is some place for him and the little ones.”
“He’s so willin’ to work for us,” explained the mother, “and we’d love to be in the country. We both grew up in a country town, and I’ll go back to-morrow morning. It’s nothin’ but struggling here from one year’s end to the other, and we grow poorer each year.”
“Many a hard day’s work I’ve done on the farm,” said the six-feet-four-husband, “and I’m good for many more. I’ll work at anything that’s steady, and that’ll help me keep a roof over the family.”
“I’m so glad to hear you say so!” cried Dorothy, in delight. “I’m sure we will find some work in the country for you, and before many weeks you can leave this place, and find happiness in a busy, country life.”
On the trip uptown, Dorothy asked about the family at home, feeling very much as though she had been away on a long trip and anxious to see them all once again.
“We began to grow worried about an hour before the telephone message came,” her father said, “Aunt Winnie had callers, and the arrangements were to have them all for dinner and we, of course, waited dinner for Dorothy.” He smiled at his daughter fondly. “When you did not appear, the anxiety became intense, and the callers are still at the apartment anxiously awaiting the return of the wanderer.”
“Who are the callers,” queried Dorothy; “do I know them?”
“No, just Aunt Winnie’s friends, but they are waiting to meet you,” said Major Dale.
“Won’t I be glad to get home!” exclaimed Dorothy, clinging to her father’s arm as they left the subway.
“Daughter,” said Major Dale, sternly, “have you really forgotten?”
“Forgotten what, father?” asked Dorothy in surprise.
“Forgotten the dinner and dance that is to be given in your honor this evening?” Major Dale could just suppress a smile as he tried to ask the question with great severity.
“Oh, my dear!” cried Dorothy, “I forgot it completely!”
“Well,” he said, “you’ll be late for the dinner, but they are waiting for you to start the dance.”
“You see, father,” exclaimed Dorothy, desperately, “I am not a girl for society! To think I could have forgotten the most important event of our whole holiday! But tell me now, daddy, don’t you think big James and his family would do nicely for old Mr. Hill’s Summer home—they could care for it in the Winter, and take charge of the farm in the Summer?”