I made my way to a chair and sat down. Everyone else was talking excitedly. Cathy and August were laughing together. Alexander was laughing with Kevin. My father and Mr.
Randall seemed to have just heard a great joke.
Robbie was home. The laughter had returned to Brianag.
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For the ten days prior to the Midsummer ball, the house was full of people. When the neighbors heard of Robbie's return, everyone wanted to greet him; from before dinnertime until long after supper, into the nights, there were games and jokes and music and dancing. Children raced about the lawn; we played pall mall and rowed boats in the slough. We ate and drank from the time we awoke until we went to bed. Cathy's nausea passed; her cheeks filled and her ever-present beauty was again enhanced by the child in her womb.
John came from Grant's Hill. He was a doting father, and carried James about with him all day, sitting on the porch with the boy sleeping in his lap, taking him onto the lawn to run about, feeding him rice and clabber from a spoon. James was fat and happy, his blue eyes ever alert, his little legs running short steps before he fell down, when John would lift him up and kiss his hurts. My heart was filled with happiness for him; the vision of a boy with red curls running with him I pushed out of my mind, and turned to pleasant diversions, which were plentiful.
Robbie had not spoken to me except to greet me at mealtimes, and when we played games or music together. I was so happy that he was home, that I did not think of asking for anything more. I fervently thanked God that he was whole and well, and reminded myself over and over that even to have him in the house where I could see him each day was a great blessing. Cathy's bedroom was again crowded with girls, and the room next to it; no one seemed to think it odd that I was there. August and I chatted in bed long into the night, and sometimes slept until long after luncheon had been served.
On the day before the ball I woke earlier than usual, and was in the garden before the sun was high, gathering flowers for Cathy to arrange. I hummed as I went along the paths, cutting roses and lilies and putting them into the basket the little servant girl carried for me. The morning was clear and cool, and I was feeling very pleased that the weather was to be most agreeable for the party, when Robbie appeared before me suddenly, causing me to start and let out a shriek.