"
"You go straight out, young man, an' fetch it in," commanded Willie,
giving him a jocose slap on the back.
Nevertheless, in spite of the mandate, Robert Morton lingered.
"Do you know, Aunt Tiny, I'm almost ashamed to accept your
hospitality," he observed with winning sincerity. "We've all been so
rotten to you--never coming to see you or anything. Dad's terribly cut
up that he hasn't made a single trip East since leaving Wilton."
The honest confession instantly quenched the last smouldering embers of
Celestina's resentment toward her kin.
"Don't think no more of it!" she returned hurriedly. "Your father's
been busy likely, an' so have you; an' anyhow, men ain't much on
follerin' up their relations, or writin' to 'em. So don't say another
word about it. I'm sure I've hardly given it a thought."
That the final assertion was false Robert Morton read in the woman's
brave attempt to control the pitiful little quiver of her lips;
nevertheless he blessed her for her deception.
"You're a dear, Aunt Tiny," he exclaimed heartily, stooping to kiss her
cheek.
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