?
Does dad know you've come? When--"

"There, there, Pat! Not more than three questions at a time, please,"
interrupted his aunt. "And you're not leaving Anne breath to answer
one."

How much there was to ask and to tell! Anne gave an account of her
wanderings. Pat told how they had searched for her, how grieved the
asylum people and the Marshall family were at not being able to find
her. "Why, there's that little chap Dunlop. He asked if you had any jam
for your supper--and I told him 'No'--and he wouldn't touch it--said he
didn't want it, if Anne didn't have any."

"Dunlop! Dunlop did that!"

"He and his small brother weep a little weep every time your name is
mentioned."

"Oh, Pat! Why, I never thought they'd care so much," said Anne. "I miss
them. But I was afraid to write to them. I didn't want to go back there.
Can they make me go back, if I write and tell them where I am?"

"No, indeed," answered Miss Drayton.

"Bet your life they can't," said Pat. "You're coming to live with us.
Isn't she, Aunt Sarah?"

"I'm so glad! I'm so glad!" Anne was radiant. "I love Cousin Dorcas,"
she hastened to explain. "She's just as kind to me as can be and she's
awful good. But--she's one of the good people you don't want to live
with. She has nerves, you know, and so many troubles. And her arms
aren't cuddly. Not like yours, Miss Drayton. I think she likes me--a
cousin-like, you know,--but I'm sure she'll be glad not to have me live
with her. She hasn't much money and I cost so much. Shoes are the worst.
I wear them out so fast."

"You can wear out all you want to now,--shoes and everything. And give
Cousin Dorcas some, too," said Pat.

While they were chattering away, a measured step was heard in the hall.
"There's father," said Pat. "Oh, dad, we've found Anne," he called.
"Here she is."

Mr. Patterson hurried into the room. Anne rose timidly to shake hands,
and was caught in a hearty embrace. "Welcome, little one! Welcome home,"
said Mr. Patterson.

"Hooray! hooray for the star-spangled banner!" Pat shouted so loud that
the cook and both the maid-servants came running to see what was the
matter. Whereupon Mr. Patterson told them that they were to have the
Christmas turkey that day and the best dinner they could prepare on
such short notice, to celebrate Miss Anne's coming home.

"We want your cousin to join us," said Miss Drayton. "Has she a
telephone?"

"We use Miss Margery's," replied Anne. "Please, do you m