"Cross to the
hill path!" But before they could reach it Arthur and Leonard came into
full view on the stile. Isabel motioned her mother despairingly toward
them, wheeled once more, and with a gay call for Ruth's notice hurried
to meet her in the middle of the way.
III
ARTHUR AND LEONARD
Godfrey passed over to the General, who had walked down to his gate on
his way to the great elm. Out from behind the elm came the other two
men, Arthur leading and talking briskly:--
"The sooner the better, Leonard. Now while my work is new and taking
shape--Ah! here's Mrs. Morris."
Both men were handsome. Arthur, not much older than Ruth, was of medium
height, slender, restless, dark, and eager of glance and speech. Leonard
was nearer the age of Godfrey; fairer than Arthur, of a quieter eye,
tall, broad-shouldered, powerful, lithe, and almost tamely placid. Mrs.
Morris met them with animation.
"Have our churchwarden and our rector been having another of their long
talks?"
The joint reply was cut short by Godfrey's imperative hail: "Leonard!"
As Byington turned that way, Arthur said quietly to Mrs. Morris, "He's
promised to retain charge"--and nodded toward Isabel. The nod meant
Isabel's financial investments.
"And mine?" murmured the well-pleased lady.
"Both."
The two gave heed again to Godfrey, who was loudly asking Leonard, "Why
didn't you tell us the news?"
"Oh," drawled Leonard smilingly, "I knew father would.
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