years'
absence in the Lake Country, he and Julia met again at his father's
house.

The joy of that home, at that meeting, you may well imagine, was hearty
and high. The young people feared it was too much to enjoy long. The
old people wept and smiled, and pressed and fondled their son in
childish delight, and asked if it could be he, or did they not dream?
and how he had been, and if he still set his heart on his western home.
They rejoiced till midnight, and hurried each other with questions, and
wearied each other with talk.

"It looks pleasant as ever in Cloverdale," said Matthew. "Home is
home, after all. The old hills looked so good, I wanted to kiss 'em,
when they hove in sight. Nothing appears altered; the old church looks
good as ever; and the old elm-tree seemed to know me, and welcome me
back with its waving limbs; and the house here--every room is just as I
left it; and the water from the well tastes as cold and sweet; and I
cannot see but you all look about as you did, when I went away. I knew
father would hold his age; but I expected mother would look a little
older. Julia, if she's altered at all, her hair is more of a chestnut,
her cheeks are rounder, and a little more ruddy, and she is straighter
than she was. But none of you can tell how I feel to see you all once
more, and sit down under this old roof again. Home is home, after all!"

"You'll hate to go back again, won't you, Matthew?" asked Major Fabens.

"I shall grieve to leave you and mother again, but I am not quite ready
to have you go on with me this time. I want to do more to my farm; I
want to build an addition to my log-house for you, and prepare a little
more to make you comfortable. Yes, I shall always feel sad to leave
Cloverdale, though I like the Waldron Settlement quite as well."

"Think you can get a living, and build up a manhood there then, do you?"

"A good living, I am sure I can get; I hope I may build up a manhood.
I like the country well; it is a rich soil, and very easy to cultivate.
My cornfield is as mellow as a bed of ashes this year; I had a fine
field of red-chaff wheat, with full heads, a plump berry, and straw as
bright as a dollar; and I wish I could have brought down some of my big
pumpkins and melons."

"I think I shall like it pretty well, if I live to get there; I love a
new country; it gives you more space to breathe in. The air is
sweeter, the woods are grander, the grass is greener, crops are