Billy climbed the fence enclosing the west woods and crept toward the arbour.  He was not a spy and not a sneak.  He merely wanted to satisfy his child-heart as to whether Mrs. Comstock was at home, and Elnora at last playing her loved violin with her mother’s consent.  One peep sufficed.  Mrs. Comstock sat in the moonlight, her head leaning against the arbour; on her face was a look of perfect peace and contentment.  As he stared at her the bow hesitated a second and Mrs. Comstock spoke: 

“That’s all very melodious and sweet,” she said, “but I do wish you could play Money Musk and some of the tunes I danced as a girl.”

Elnora had been carefully avoiding every note that might be reminiscent of her father.  At the words she laughed softly and began “Turkey in the Straw.”  An instant later Mrs. Comstock was dancing in the moon light.  Ammon sprang to her side, caught her in his arms, while to Elnora’s laughter and the violin’s impetus they danced until they dropped panting on the arbour bench.

Billy scarcely knew when he reached the road.  His light feet barely touched the soft way, so swiftly he flew.  He vaulted the fence and burst into the house.

“Aunt Margaret!  Uncle Wesley!” he screamed.  “Listen!  Listen!  She’s playing it!  Elnora’s playing her violin at home!  And Aunt Kate is dancing like anything before the arbour!  I saw her in the moonlight!  I ran down!  Oh, Aunt Margaret!”

Billy fled sobbing to Margaret’s breast.

“Why Billy!” she chided.  “Don’t cry, you little dunce!  That’s what we’ve all prayed for these many years; but you must be mistaken about Kate.  I can’t believe it.”

Billy lifted his head.  “Well, you just have to!” he said.  “When I say I saw anything, Uncle Wesley knows I did.  The city man was dancing with her.  They danced together and Elnora laughed.  But it didn’t look funny to me; I was scared.”

“Who was it said ‘wonders never cease,’” asked Wesley.  “You mark my word, once you get Kate Comstock started, you can’t stop her.  There’s a wagon load of penned-up force in her.  Dancing in the moonlight!  Well, I’ll be hanged!”

Billy was at his side instantly.  “Whoever does it will have to hang me, too,” he cried.

Sinton threw his arm around Billy and drew him closely.  “Tell us all about it, son,” he said.  Billy told.  “And when Elnora just stopped a breath, ’Can’t you play some of the old things I knew when I was a girl?’ said her ma.  Then Elnora began to do a thing that made you want to whirl round and round, and quicker ’an scat there was her ma a-whirling.  The city man, he ups and grabs her and whirls, too, and back in the woods I was going just like they did.  Elnora begins to laugh, and I ran to tell you, cos I knew you’d like to know.  Now, all the world is right, ain’t it?” ended Billy in supreme satisfaction.

“You just bet it is!” said Wesley.

Billy looked steadily at Margaret.  “Is it, Aunt Margaret?”