And there was a wind that came dancing and whistling up the channel to replace the beautiful silence with a music more beautiful still . The rest of the folks were just coming downstairs when I got back to breakfast . They were all yawny , and some were grumpy , but I had washed my being in the sunrise and felt as blithesome as the day . Oh , life is so good to live ! Tomorrow Uncle James 's new vessel , the White Lady , is to be launched . We are going to make a festive occasion of it , and I am to christen her with a bottle of cobwebby old wine . But I hear the carriage , and Aunt Jane is calling me . I had a great deal more to say -- about your letter , your big `` round-up '' and your tribulations with your Chinese cook -- but I 've only time now to say goodbye . You wish me a lovely time at the dance and a full programme , do n't you ? Yours sincerely , Sidney Richmond . Aunt Jane came home presently and carried away her sleeping baby . Sidney said her prayers , went to bed , and slept soundly and serenely . She mailed her letter the next day , and a month later an answer came . Sidney read it as soon as she left the post office , and walked the rest of the way home as in a nightmare , staring straight ahead of her with wide-open , unseeing brown eyes . John Lincoln 's letter was short , but the pertinent paragraph of it burned itself into Sidney 's brain . He wrote : I am going east for a visit . It is six years since I was home , and it seems like three times six . I shall go by the C.P.R. , which passes through Plainfield , and I mean to stop off for a day . You will let me call and see you , wo n't you ? I shall have to take your permission for granted , as I shall be gone before a letter from you can reach the Bar N. I leave for the east in five days , and shall look forward to our meeting with all possible interest and pleasure .
Sidney did not sleep that night , but tossed restlessly XXXXX or cried in her pillow .
about as at before by in like of since to