Persis didn't return to Toronto until August was turning to September and Tricia was beginning to pack her bags for her own trip to the Island for her cousin's wedding. Di had been keeping up with her family via the telephone, but she was still glad to see Persis and hear in person how things were with the younger Fords.

"She's starting to come 'round," Persis said, sitting down with a sigh in Di's office and taking off her hat. She hadn't even bothered to go to her parents' large, empty house, but had come right to the Home from the train. "She actually cried the night before I left—I think that was the first time she's shed a tear since it all happened. And she asked about Gilly the day before that. For a little while there I think she had forgotten she had a son at all."

"I'm so glad she's starting to heal," Di said, her sea-grey eyes luminous with relief. "How's Ken?"

Persis flinched. "Things are still difficult between him and Rilla. He feels that she blames him for the loss of Aidan—because he didn't catch her in time to stop her from falling down the stairs. I think in reality he blames himself, but won't admit it. And of course, Rilla is so wrapped up in her own grief that she's hardly thought about her husband at all."

"Well," Di said inadequately. "Hopefully things will work out in due season."

"Meanwhile," Persis said briskly, "I'm so glad to be back! How are the children?"

"Running me ragged," Di smiled. "Once they hear you're back they'll be wild with joy—especially Paulette and Pierre."

"Any problems while I was away?"

"No. Katia hasn't been feeling well—I think the heat's been getting to her. Tricia's thinking about taking her to Carlisle for the wedding, to give her a break from the city."

Persis opened her blue eyes very wide. "Won't the other children be jealous? They've never gotten a chance to go to the Island—or anywhere, for that matter."

"If it was any other child, they might, but not Katia. She's so sweet. Everyone loves her. I think they'll all just be happy she gets a change."

The two girls sat talking about Home matters for a few minutes, and then Persis rose to leave. She made it out into the hallway and two steps toward the door when two small figures raced down the hall and flung themselves at her.

"You're back! You're back!" one kept squealing, while the other merely clung to her legs like grim death.

Persis bent down to untangle them, laughing as she did so. "Did you miss me?"

Paulette raised a reproachful face. "Why were you gone so long? We thought you didn't like us any more, didn't we, Pierre?"

Pierre didn't move from his position around Persis' legs, but he nodded emphatically.

Di stood in the open doorway of her office, watching amusedly.

"It's not that I don't like you—I love you children," Persis explained, still trying to detach Pierre. "I had to go help my brother. Your can understand that, can't you? Wouldn't you two do anything for each other?"

They considered it for a moment, then nodded in unison. "You're not leaving again, are you?"

"I have to go home now, but I'll be back in the morning."

Pierre clung a little tighter; Paulette's pretty face took on a distinct resemblance to a thundercloud. "Don't go!"

"Children," Di said warningly from her position. They glanced at her and subsided, though still pouting.

"I'll be back tomorrow," Persis repeated helplessly. "Don't be sad. It won't be very long."

"Tomorrow's forever away," Pierre muttered.

"I know!" Paulette exclaimed, her face brightening. "You can take us with you and bring us back in the morning!"

Di hastily turned a laugh into a cough as Persis looked at her appealingly.

"I'm not sure Mother Di would approve of that," that young woman said feebly.

The two turned pleading faces toward Di. "Children, would you give Miss Persis and me a moment?"

Paulette grabbed Pierre's hand and pulled him away from Persis. "That means she's thinking about it," she hissed. "Come on!"

They dashed down the hall, leaving the two women alone. Di raised one eyebrow. "Well?"

A dimple appeared unexpectedly in the corner of Persis' mouth. "Believe it or not, I wouldn't mind having them come. Mother and Dad are still away, and the house does get lonely with just me and the housekeeper. I know Mrs. Crowley would enjoy having small children around again. But I don't want to do anything you don't approve of."

Di shrugged. "Actually, if you don't mind, I think it might be nice for them. They adore you, and the thrill of taking a trip to 'Miss Persis'' house will keep them occupied for months. After all, if Katia gets a trip to the Island, why not give these two a excursion as well?"

Persis grinned. "If you help them pack an overnight bag, I'll call Mrs. Crowley and tell her to prepare a guest room. She will be delighted."

A short while later, Persis left the Home with two perfectly happy children in tow. Di watched them go, shaking her head, and returned to work. At least, with his cohorts absent, Bran would be easier to keep in line.

As it turned out, there was an enormous thunderstorm that night—the worst of the season. It would come out afterward that entire trees were ripped up by the gale-like winds, and at least one house had been struck by lightning and burned to the ground (thankfully, the inhabitants were not home at the time).

Tricia was kept busy comforting the babies, while Di tended to the older children. The girls huddled together on one bed, their heads under the covers. When Di asked if they wanted her to stay, they popped those heads out and shook them no. She got the impression they were enjoying themselves at least as much as they were frightened.

The boys were in slightly better condition, but not much. Peter had gone and gotten Polly from Tricia's care, and was so absorbed in comforting her that he never even thought of being afraid. Freddy's face was white as his sheets, but he refused to admit to being afraid.

The rest of the boys also looked fearful, but while the Peter and Freddy were being brave, confess to it they would not. Di finally left them alone, with the offer that any of them could come to her at any time in the night, if they needed to. She highly doubted she would be sleeping that night.

To her surprise, nobody came in until much later. It was about one in the morning when little feet pattered on the wooden floor, and a little hand tapped timidly at her door.

"Come in," she called, closing the book she'd been reading and setting on her nightstand.

To her surprise, the door opened to reveal Bran, his dusky face pinched with fear.

"Why, Bran," she said. He was the last child she would have expected to see, as independent and sturdy as he normally was.

"I—I'm scared," he admitted miserably. "The thunder is so loud."

Di held out her arms. "Come here, Bran."

He clambered up onto the bed and snuggled down beside her. "Now, "she said, tucking the covers in around him, "Don't you know that thunder is nothing to be afraid of? It's just noise. Noise can't hurt you."

"But it's so loud."

Di hugged him. "Did you know that most mythologies have a god of thunder? It's so loud and powerful-sounding that people used to think it had to be a powerful god making all that noise."

Bran started to look interested. "What's a mythol'gy?"

"Myths are old, old stories told by people who didn't believe in God. They would make up different gods and goddesses and tell tales about them and their different adventures. Almost every culture had their own mythology."

"Did Welsh people have a mythol'gy?" Bran had momentarily forgotten about the thunder and lightning still roaring outside. He was always interested in anything about his homeland.

"I'm sure they did, but I don't know much about it. Maybe the next time we go to the library you can look for a book about Welsh mythology." Bran had learned to read the preceding spring, and loved adventure stories.

He brightened up. "All right."

"Meantime, why don't I tell you about the Greek god of thunder, Zeus? He was the king of the gods and had all sorts of interesting adventures."

Bran leaned in against her. "Go on."

Di told stories of Zeus and his heroic son Heracles until Bran's head fell against her arm as he fell sound asleep.

A few weeks, later, Tricia and Katia left for the Island. It was hard to tell who was more excited between them.

Just as Di had predicted, none of the other children were the least bit envious of Katia, though they all hung on the fence to watch her leave, waving frantically every time she turned back, her face all smiles. Di was glad the young girl was getting a chance to do something special.

She knew she was going to miss Tricia, though. It was a relief that Persis was back. Di really couldn't remember how she had managed without at least one of the two there.

Shortly after Tricia's departure, Persis came to the backyard, where Di was playing tag with the children. Di had just been caught by Francesco and had the children shrieking with laughter at her deliberately clumsy attempts to catch one of them.

She looked up, breathless with laughter and flushed with fun. "Yes, Persis?"

Persis dropped a mock curtsey. "Someone to see you, Miss Blythe," her eyes glittering with amusement.

"Oh no, it's not a potential parent, is it?" Di asked in dismay. "I look dreadful. Put whoever it is in my office, Persis, and I'll see them as soon as I tidy up."

A musical, rich voice rolled out from behind the golden-haired woman. "I refuse to be 'put' anywhere, Di Blythe, and if you won't come to me, I'll come to you!"

A broad smile broke out over Di's face. "Patrick!"

Persis stepped aside to reveal a short, rather square man with light brown hair and crinkled blue eyes, smiling widely. "Surprised?"

Patrick Samuels was a good friend of Shirley's from their Redmond days. He and Di had become friendly from the very first time Shirley had brought him home to Ingleside, and their friendship had continued over the years. Patrick taught piano at the Toronto Conservatory of Music most of the time, but he had been gone for the past year, taking a class himself at a conservatory in Europe.

"I didn't know you were back," Di said, giving him a hug while the children watched with curious eyes. Some of them remembered Patrick from before he left, but to most of them, he was a stranger.

"Just got back last night," he answered. "Had a bit of a shock when the door was opened by this lovely young lady," giving Persis a friendly wink. "At first I thought one of those statues I saw in Europe had come to life and followed me home, but then I recognized her from your brother Jem's wedding. How are you?"

They talked for so long that Persis, assisted by Paulette and Pierre, ended up bringing tea out to them (and lemonade for the children, who soon got over their shyness of Mother Di's friend and were clambering all over him). Patrick had had a marvelous year in Europe, but he was glad to be back in Canada.

"Nothing like it," he said with satisfaction, stroking little Polly's hair. She was seated proudly in the place of honor on his knee, with Peter watching jealously from a short distance away. "I phoned Shirley as soon as I got in last night. He'd written to me about Cecily, but I wanted to hear from himself how he was doing."

"Shirley will always do well, no matter what," Di said fondly.

Patrick grinned. "He will that. He invited me to spend my winter break with him and the twins at Green Gables. You can imagine I jumped at the offer. I miss my old friend, and I'm especially eager to see those children of his—though it's hard to imagine they could be any sweeter than this little one," looking at Polly.

Polly was a reserved child, saving her caresses only for her brother, but she surprised everyone by suddenly flinging her arms around Patrick's neck and hugging him tight.

Di leaned back in her chair and smiled. It was good to have him back.