This entire morning passed by with an air of anxious anticipation for Vivian and Mrs. York.
By noon, Vivian was leaning over her balcony, looking out persistently. Finally, around half-past twelve, she saw her dad, Lawyer Lowell, and Ethan Hayes walking along the road in the neighborhood.
"Mom! Mom! Dad's back!!" As soon as Vivian spotted their figures, she dashed to the gate like the wind, eagerly opening it and peering outside.
Upon hearing her call, Mrs. York quickly put down what she was doing, grabbed a kitchen towel, wiped her hands dry, and followed Vivian to the front door.
After a while, the sound of footsteps echoed in the corridor, soon followed by Mr. York's cheerful voice, "We really owe today to Lawyer Lowell. Without you, we wouldn't have known what to do."
"Director York is too kind," Lawyer Lowell's voice sounded steady and composed, neither hurried nor slow.
