"Never mind," he said cheerfully, having followed her dubiousness with his
understanding. "Just hang on to them a minute longer, and we'll be out of
all this."
His words came true, and they finally did emerge from the seething mass
and found a carriage, the door of which happened to be standing
mysteriously open. Within, upon the small seat, some omniscient hands had
already deposited Aunt Mary's bags. It did not take long to stow Aunt
Mary, face to her luggage, and she was barely established there before her
trunk came, too; and, although the coachman looked so gorgeous, he was
nevertheless obliging enough to allow it to couch humbly at his feet.
Then they rolled away.
Jack sat sideways and looked at his aunt, holding her hand. His eyes were
unfeignedly happy, and his companion matched his eyes. Neither seemed to
recollect that one was bitterly angry, and that the other was on the verge
of melancholia. Instead, Jack declared fervently:
"Aunt Mary, I've made up my mind to give you the time of your life!"
And Aunt Mary drew a sigh of relief in his words and anticipation of their
fulfillment.
"I'll be happy takin' care of you," she said, benevolently. "My!--but your
letter scared me. An' yet you look well."
He laughed.
"It's the knowing you were coming that's done that, Aunt Mary. You ought
to have seen me when I got your telegram. I almost turned a somersault."
Aunt Mary smiled rapturously and patted his hand.
And just then they drew up in front of the house.
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