Great as was William's joy, however, his caution was greater. He said
nothing to Billy of his new hopes, though he did try to pave the way by
dropping an occasional word about the loneliness of the Beacon Street
house since she went away. There was something else, too, that caused
William to be silent--what he thought he saw between Billy and Bertram.
That Bertram was in love with Billy, he guessed; but that Billy was not
in love with Bertram he very much feared. He hesitated almost to speak
or move lest something he should say or do should, just at the critical
moment, turn matters the wrong way. To William this marriage of Bertram
and Billy was an ideal method of solving the problem, as of course Billy
would come there to the house to live, and he would have his "daughter"
after all. But as the days passed, and he could see no progress
on Bertram's part, no change in Billy, he began to be seriously
worried--and to show it.
CHAPTER XXXIV
CLASS DAY
Early in June Billy announced her intention of not going away at all
that summer.
"I don't need it," she declared. "I have this cool, beautiful house,
this air, this sunshine, this adorable view. Besides, I've got a scheme
I mean to carry out."
There was some consternation among Billy's friends when they found out
what this "scheme" was: sundry of Billy's humbler acquaintances were to
share the house, the air, the sunshine, and the adorable view with her.
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