"There is no need to tell me you have had some good news, Win. Is it a
letter from Jack. What does he say? How is he? Is he prospering? When is
he coming home? Bless the lad, how I miss him."
Winifred laughed heartily as Sir Lester poured forth his string of
questions.
"Give me time, father," she said, "and I will read you his letter."
They went out on to the terrace, and there she read him what Jack had
written.
Sir Lester listened, and as she read his face softened.
She did not falter as she read the words of love which seemed to breathe
between the lines. She was so very happy, she fancied it was his voice
she heard, the paper was alive with a warm glow, she would not have been
at all surprised had he suddenly appeared before her.
"I wish he would come back, Win," said her father, when she concluded,
"we ought never to have let him go."
"It is for the best," she said, "and he will come back. Then,
father--oh, then----" and she hid her face on his shoulder.
"What then, Win?" he asked, gently, as he stroked her hair.