“I only wish the Worthingtons would write and say when,” remarked Clover.  “It is more than a week since we heard from them.”

The next day brought the wished-for letter, and the good news that Ned had a fortnight’s leave, and meant to bring Katy home the middle of November, and stay for Thanksgiving.  After that the “Natchitoches” was to sail for an eighteen months’ cruise to China and Japan; and then Ned would probably have two years ashore at the Torpedo Station or Naval Academy or somewhere, and they would start a little home for themselves.

“Meantime,” wrote Katy, “I am coming to spend a year and a half with you, if urged.  Don’t all speak at once, and don’t mind saying so, if you don’t want me.”

The bitter drop in this pleasant intelligence—­there generally is one, you know—­was that the fortnight of Ned’s stay was to be spent at Mrs. Ashe’s.  “It’s her only chance to see Ned,” said Katy; “so I know you won’t mind, for afterward you will have me for such a long visit.”

But they did mind very much!

“I don’t think it’s fair,” cried Johnnie, hotly, while Clover and Elsie exchanged disgusted looks; “Katy belongs to us.”

“Katy belongs to her husband, on the contrary,” said Dr. Carr, overhearing her; “you must learn that lesson once for all, children.  There’s no escape from the melancholy fact; and it’s quite right and natural that Ned should wish to go to his sister, and she should want to have him.”

“Ned! yes.  But Katy—­”

“My dear, Katy is Ned,” answered Dr. Carr, with a twinkle.  Then noticing the extremely unconvinced expression of Johnnie’s face, he added more seriously, “Don’t be cross, children, and spoil all Katy’s pleasure in coming home, with your foolish jealousies.  Clover, I trust to you to take these young mutineers in hand and make them listen to reason.”

Thus appealed to, Clover rallied her powers, and while laboring to bring Elsie and John to a proper frame of mind, schooled herself as well, so as to be able to treat Mrs. Ashe amiably when they met.  Dear, unconscious Polly meanwhile was devising all sorts of pleasant and hospitable plans designed to make Ned’s stay a sort of continuous fete to everybody.  She put on no airs over the preference shown her, and was altogether so kind and friendly and sweet that no one could quarrel with her even in thought, and Johnnie herself had to forgive her, and be contented with a little whispered grumble to Dorry now and then over the inconvenience of possessing “people-in-law.”

And then Katy came, the same Katy, only, as Clover thought, nicer, brighter, dearer, and certainly better-looking than ever.  Sea air had tanned her a little, but the brown was becoming; and she had gained an ease and polish of manner which her sisters admired very much.  And after all, it seemed to make little difference at which house they stayed, for they were in and out of both all day long; and Mrs. Ashe threw her doors open to the Carrs and wanted some or all of them for every meal, so that except for the name of the thing, it was almost as satisfactory to have Katy over the way as occupying her old quarters.