"I think, young ladies, it is time we went back to our school, now. And I'm sure we'll join in thanking Mr. Huntington for the best time we have had this season. And we are very grateful for his most kind gift to Andrews. If he would care to come to our school musicales and entertainments nobody would be a more welcome guest than he. Get your wraps, young ladies, and we will take our departure."
The girls scrambled up from the floor and went reluctantly to the hall, where they slipped into great fur coats, and fastened rubbers on their daintily shod feet.
"Good-by, good-by," they called from the door, and troops and troops of them went down the whitened walk, laughing back expressions of appreciation.
Peggy had whispered in Mrs. Forest's ear just as she was about to leave, and Mrs. Forest had nodded her head graciously. So Peggy went to Katherine and drew her back from the crowds of those preparing to go home, and when the rest had gone the two girls went back to the fire and sat down in great arm-chairs on either side of it, while Mr. Huntington mused into the blue flames and began to see there a picture of something that had happened long ago.
"So you want to hear why I have to be alone on Thanksgiving day unless outsiders take pity on me, do you?" he asked, for Peggy had begged him at the door to tell her about his daughter and the grandson that would be older than she. It was daring, but she felt very strongly that someway Mr. Huntington wanted to talk, wanted to tell someone, and she believed she and Katherine and he were good enough friends now to make it possible for him to tell his story to them.
"Well," hesitated the old man-- The girls settled themselves more comfortably in the great chairs and leaned forward, their chins in their hands, while the whimsical light of the fire played over them now in rose-colored flickers of light, now in lavender brilliance.
"I suppose I'd better begin at the beginning," said Mr. Huntington, and in a quiet, halting, reminiscent voice began his strange story.
"Our family has always been rich,--I cannot remember when the Huntingtons were not supposed to have everything they wanted. I myself have not let the great estates of my ancestors slip through my fingers as the people about here imagine. Instead,--it may surprise you--I am richer far than any Huntington has ever been before."