"That," she said quickly and a little anxiously for Mr. Higgins' ears, indicating the Patriarch, "that is my grand-uncle there, I am sure."
"Yes," said Madison, leading her toward the Patriarch. "And he has been looking forward very anxiously all day to your arrival--it seemed as though the afternoon would never come for him."
"Gee!" said Helena under her breath. "I had the rubes in the village on the run--you ought to have seen them stare as the chariot drove along."
"I don't wonder," said Madison softly. "The sun's rather strong down here, Helena, and if you're not careful you'll scorch your neck with those burning-glasses you've got in your ears."
"Don't I look nice?" demanded Helena, with a pout.
"You bet you do!" said Madison earnestly. "You've got the swellest thing on Broadway beaten from Forty-Second Street to the Battery. Now, here you are"--they had halted before the Patriarch.
The venerable face was turned toward them, as though by instinct the Patriarch knew that they were there--and his hands were held out in greeting.
Helena clasped them firmly, and submitted sweetly as the Patriarch drew her into his arms.
The Patriarch released her after an instant, and his hands, in lieu of eyes, reaching out to search her face, came bewilderingly in contact with the picture hat.
Helena, a little uncertainly, looked at Madison.
Helena's face clouded a little, and into the brown eyes crept a strange, sudden, sympathetic look.
"Doc," she said, "it--it isn't fair. It's a shame--he can't fight back."
"One error to you, Miss Vail," said Madison pleasantly. "Eliminate the 'Doc.' Don't shed tears, you're down here to be sweet to him, aren't you--well, get into the game."
Helena turned from Madison, and, impulsively taking the Patriarch's groping hands, guided them to her cheeks and held them there.
"Lucky dog!" observed Madison; then, raising his voice: "I am sure you would like to be alone together, Miss Vail--perhaps you will take him into the cottage. If you will excuse me, I'll help Mr. Higgins with the trunks."
Madison turned and walked over to where Mr. Higgins, beside the democrat with a handful of chin whiskers, was observing the scene.
"Fine girl!" declared Mr. Higgins, as Helena, with the Patriarch's arm in hers, disappeared inside the cottage. "'Pears she must have money, an' I'm right glad 'count of the Patriarch--said her father an' mother was dead an' she was alone in the world--them jewels she wore must have cost a pile. Reckon she's been used to livin' kinder different from the way folks down here do--hope 'tain't goin' to be so hard on her she won't want to stay."