Chapter 10
While Emil and Carl were amusing themselves at the fair,
Alexandra was at home, busy with her account-books, which had been
neglected of late. She was almost through with her figures when she
heard a cart drive up to the gate, and looking out of the window
she saw her two older brothers. They had seemed to avoid her ever
since Carl Linstrum's arrival, four weeks ago that day, and she
hurried to the door to welcome them. She saw at once that they had
come with some very definite purpose. They followed her stiffly
into the sitting-room. Oscar sat down, but Lou walked over to the
window and remained standing, his hands behind him.
"You are by yourself?" he asked, looking toward the doorway into
the parlor.
"Yes. Carl and Emil went up to the Catholic fair."
For a few m
