Chapter 31

⁠​​​‌​​​​‌‌‌‌‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​⁠Autumn came. Late September with cool nights. They had to forsake the verandah; but they kindled a fire in the big fireplace and sat before it with jest and laughter. They left the doors open, and Banjo and Good Luck came and went at pleasure. Sometimes they sat gravely on the bearskin rug between Barney and Valancy; sometimes they slunk off into the mystery of the chill night outside. The stars s