“Never mind, madam; it’s to you she owes her beauty.  Why, you and she look exactly like sisters,” whereupon Mrs. Hollister capitulated to Tom Harper.  She couldn’t speak of him with enough enthusiasm and praise.  She wrote pages to Archibald.

“My dear, everyone says he’ll yet be Governor, and while I wouldn’t have you breathe it for the world I’m sure he’s in love with Ethel.  What a couple they’d make.  Of course she has no suspicion of such a thing, nor would I hint it to her; but you wait and see.”

Mr. Hollister smiled as he read his wife’s letter, and his heart was glad.  He had known Tom Harper’s father and had respected him highly.

“Well,” he thought, “this time Bella is on the right tack.  I’ll not interfere,” and he softly whistled “Comin’ Thro’ the Rye.”

CHAPTER V

CAMP AGAIN

“Aunt Susan, you’ve grown so young,” said Ethel, “and as for Tom, well he’s the glass of fashion and mould of form.  He looks fine.  Oh!  I’m so glad to be back and to have Mother and Grandmother with me; and Father will be here soon.  It seems like a dream—­too good to be true.  Hasn’t Mother grown lovely?”

“Never saw anything like the change,” replied the old lady.  “In fact, you’ve worked wonders in us all, my dear,” she said.  “Look at me.  Why!  I feel like an up-to-date fashion plate.”

Ethel laughed.

“Yes, Madam, you’re up-to-date all right and no mistake.  I didn’t know you that day at the depot.”

“I often wonder,” continued the elderly woman, “if people think I’m putting on airs.  Really, Jane told me of some woman who said ’old Mrs. Carpenter was mighty upraised, dressing like a young girl.’  It’s funny, isn’t it, what dress will do.  But I should look young for I’m so happy to have Alice here again, and to think that we shall be together all summer.  I don’t yet seem to realize it.”

“Did you notice how Grandmother cried as this house came to view,—­her birthplace?”

“No wonder.  She hasn’t been here,” said Aunt Susan, “since Mother’s funeral, I presume it brought it all back to her.  Poor Alice!  I ought not to say it, but Archie Hollister was not the man to make her happy.  He ran through with nearly all of her money.  It slipped through his fingers just like water, and I guess her life with his family was none too peaceful and happy.  They had the name of being great fighters.  Of course she has her recompense in John and Archibald—­that’s something.  A woman needs peace.  Now take your mother, for instance.  Why has she grown young?  Because she’s quit worrying—­that is the secret.”

“Yes, and when I think that she did it all for me—­why, Aunt Susan, I can’t lay up anything against her; I love her too well.  She sees now how useless it all was.  But what do you know about Harvey Bigelow?  Isn’t he developing into a fine man?”

“He certainly is,” replied Aunt Susan, “and I always liked him.  He looked one squarely in the eye, and such a man can be trusted.”