" Bridgie needed no
explanation as to the significance of that second he. "He's been
fussing about us for weeks, and now he'll go home and rest. It's a good
thing! Will I mash the potatoes for you, Bridgie?"

"Thank you, darling," said Bridgie humbly, but her face remained
troubled. Once more, and with all her heart, she wished that Pixie were
safe at home.

The rumble of men's voices could be heard from the kitchen--an amicable
rumble it appeared to be, though with mysterious breaks from time to
time. Bridgie bustled in, tea-tray in hand, in the middle of one of
these breaks, and surprised a look of sadness on each face. She decided
that Stephen was to depart forthwith, but such was not the case, since
over tea he alluded to an old promise to take Pixie to the Temple, and
included Bridgie in an invitation for the following Sunday.

"And then I must be off--on Monday--or--or perhaps on Tuesday," he said
vaguely. "One day next week."

"I leave on Monday too," said Bridgie, and ate her potato cake with
recovered zest.

CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR.

HE LOVES YOU.

That evening Pat showed early signs of fatigue, and requested Bridgie to
settle him for the night, bidding the while so marked a farewell to
Pixie that she had no alternative but to retire forthwith to her own
room. Truth to tell she was not sorry, for sleep had been an uncertain
quantity of late, and the prospect of a long undisturbed night was
agreeable. She dallied over her undressing, and when Bridgie joined her
half an hour later, sat perched upon the bed, dressing-gowned, her hands
clasped round her knees, watching with admiring eyes the picture of her
sweet-faced sister seated before the dressing-table engaged in brushing
out her long fair hair.

"You've a fine head of hair, me dear! It's wearing well. ... D'you
remember the day you and Esmeralda had the trick played on you about
going to bed, and sat up half the night brushing and combing to tire out
the other?"

"I do so," answered Bridgie, but it was but a faint smile which she gave
to the memory of that youthful joke. She parted her hair with a sweep
of the brush, and gazing at her sister between the long gold strands
said suddenly, and earnestly, "Pixie!"

"Me dear?"

"There's something I want to say. ... To-morrow Mr Glynn will be here.
Pat's asked him to come back after church. He is going away on Monday,
so it will be the last time. Be _careful_, darling! Think what you'