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XXVIII. The Prince Comes Back to the Enchanted Palace
Irving’spraiseAnne’sface“burstflowerlikeintorosybloom,”andthebusy,wearymanoftheworld,lookingather,thoughthehadneverseenafairer,sweeterslipofgirlhoodthanthislittle“downeast”schoolteacherwithherredhairandwonderfuleyes.
Paulsatbetweenthemblissfullyhappy.
“Ineverdreamedfatherwascoming,”hesaidradiantly.“EvenGrandmadidn’tknowit.Itwasagreatsurprise.Asageneralthing...”Paulshookhisbrowncurlsgravely...“Idon’tliketobesurprised.Youloseallthefunofexpectingthingswhenyou’resurprised.Butinacaselikethisitisallright.FathercamelastnightafterIhadgonetobed.AndafterGrandmaandMaryJoehadstoppedbeingsurprisedheandGrandmacameupstairstolookatme,notmeaningtowakemeuptillmorning.ButIwokerightupandsawfather.ItellyouIjustsprangathim.”
“Withahuglikeabear’s,”saidMr.Irving,puttinghisarmsaroundPaul’sshouldersmilingly.“Ihardlyknewmyboy,hehadgrownsobigandbrownandsturdy.”
“Idon’tknowwhichwasthemostpleasedtoseefather,GrandmaorI,”continuedPaul.“Grandma’sbeeninkitchenalldaymakingthethingsfatherlikestoeat.Shewouldn’ttrustthemtoMaryJoe,shesays.That’sHERwayofshowinggladness.Ilikebestjusttositandtalktofather.ButI’mgoingtoleaveyouforalittlewhilenowifyou’llexcuseme.ImustgetthecowsforMaryJoe.Thatisoneofmydailyduties.”
WhenPaulhadscamperedawaytodohis“dailyduty”Mr.IrvingtalkedtoAnneofvariousmatters.
