"
Then her hostess asked after the twins, the Macons, etc., after which
they went out to supper.
In the evening Bertha came with Jasper. There was an abounding
joyousness in her manner, which so tallied with Sara's deep happiness
that she could not but notice it; and it was evident that there was at
least perfect good feeling, if nothing more, between her and Jasper.
After they had gone, Sara turned with a mischievous look to her old
friend.
"I've an idea, Miss Prue, that Bertha is quite in love with--Killamet
and its environs; she seems really enthusiastic. But how does it happen
that Jasper is at home now?"
"Well, the season is nearly over, and I believe his schooner is
undergoing repairs--he's his own master now, and goes and comes as he
likes."
"Yes; that must be pleasant! He seems unusually well; I never saw him
looking so handsome."
"Humph!" said Miss Prue, and drew the curtain sharply, after which they
adjourned for the night.
Sara found Miss Prue was right about her own house. Two coats of paint
outside gave it a decidedly spruce appearance, while, inside, that
lady's vision as to its capabilities had been more than realized. The
blending of roughness and luxury, of camp and home characteristics, gave
the large central apartment a quaintness that had real charm for eyes
weary of too great sameness in house-decoration; and when Mrs.
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