"It can't be you're crying," he
murmured. "Charlotte, I don't blame you. Look up and smile. I know how
you must be feeling. You've been a regular heroine all these weeks."
"I'm awfully ashamed," choked Charlotte, on his shoulder, "but, O Andy,
what it will seem not to have to--oh, I mustn't say it, but--"
"I know, I know!" He patted her shoulder.
"Her sister is ill, in the West somewhere. She has to go to her at once.
She wants the children to stay with us."
"She does!"
"Her sister doesn't want them there, and she can't send them home. Andy,
I wouldn't mind that so awfully. I'd almost like the chance to see what
we could do with them."
"Well, don't answer definitely till I have time to talk it over with you
and with her. I must go now."
They talked it over, together, and with Mrs. Peyton. The result of these
conferences was that two days later that lady took her departure,
leaving her children in the care of the Churchills.
"On one condition, Cousin Lula," Doctor Churchill had said to her with
decision. "That you put them absolutely in our care and trust our
judgment in the management of them.
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