’Suppose you take possession of one of Prim’s spare rooms, and astonish the family at breakfast?  All you need say is that you came after they were all gone to their rooms.  Dr. Maryland will never seek for a reason.  And Prim will never ask for one.  But if you prefer it, I will take you home before they are up.’

‘Just as you please,’ she answered wearily:  indeed weariness was fast getting the upper hand. ’You must want rest, I should think.  What were you doing there?’ she asked with her former suddenness.  ’Were you looking for me?  Did you know where I was—­not?’

‘No,’ he said, smiling again, ’I had been to Troy to look at some horses, about which I had been in correspondence; and wishing to be here to-morrow—­that is, to-day!—­it pleased me to take a night train which set me down at Henderson; no nearer; I was walking across country to get home.  And I feel as if I never should be “tired” again.  Come—­you can have some time of rest at least; and I will carry you home before or after breakfast, just as you please.’

Upstairs with noiseless footfalls—­and Rollo reminding Wych Hazel which was Primrose’s room, indicated another close by, within which he said he believed she would find what she wanted.  That room was always kept in order for strangers; and no strangers were in the house now.

‘Primrose will come to you in the morning,’ he said, ’unless you wish to go before that?’

Wych Hazel turned and held out her hand.

‘Thank you!’ she said.  Then in answer to his last words—­’I shall be ready for either.’

Wherein, however, Miss Kennedy made a mistake.  For having once put herself down on the fresh white bed, sleep took undisputed possession and held it straight on.  Neither rousing bell nor breakfast bell roused her; nor opening door—­if any opened; nor steps—­if any came.  Sleep so profound that she never turned nor stirred nor raised her cheek from the hand where first she laid it down.  And the sun was getting a new view of the western slopes of the Chickaree woods, before the young mistress thereof sat up in her strange room and looked about her.

‘Well, you are awake at last!’ cried Prim, bending to kiss her.  ’I am glad! though I was glad to have you sleep, too.  How tired you were!’

Wych Hazel passed her hands over her face; but the newt move was to put her arms round Prim’s neck and for a moment her head on Prim’s shoulder.  Then she sprang up and hurriedly shook her dress into some sort of order.

‘O!  I have slept a great deal too long,’ she said.

’Why?  No, you have slept just enough.  Now you would like to change your dress.  There is a valise full of things from home for you.  And when you are ready you shall have some breakfast, or dinner, or tea, just which you like to call it.’

Primrose could not read the look and flush that greeted the valise; and indeed she needed an entire new dictionary for her friend this day.  When Hazel made her appearance down stairs, hat in hand, she had more things in her face than Prim had ever met, even in dreams.  Dr. Maryland was not there; the table was spread in the library, where the afternoon light poured in through its green veil of branches and leaves; and Prim gave her guest a new greeting, as glad as if she had given her none before.