ork, and he told Betty that she should know toward the end of the
afternoon the reason of his going to Riverport, so that there was
nothing to do but to wait. She was disappointed, because she had fancied
that he meant to bring home a new row-boat; perhaps, after all, he had
made some arrangements about it. Why, yes! it might be coming up by the
packet, and they would go out together that very evening. Betty could
hardly wait for the hour to come.

When dinner was over, papa was enticed up to see the cubby-house, while
the aunts took their nap. There was a little roast pig for dinner, and
Aunt Barbara had been disappointed to find that her guest had gone away,
as it was his favorite dinner; but his unexpected return made up for
everything, and they had a great deal of good fun. Papa was in the best
of spirits, and went out to speak to Serena about the batter pudding as
soon as Aunt Barbara rose from her chair.

"Now don't you tell me you don't get them batter puddings a sight better
in the dwellings of the rich and great," insisted Serena, with great
complacency. "Setting down to feast with lords and dukes, same's you do,
you must eat of the best the year round. We do season the sauce well, I
will allow. Miss Barbara, she always thinks it may need a drop more."

"Serena," said Betty's father solemnly, "I assure you that I have eaten
a slice of bacon between two tough pieces of hard tack for my dinner
many a day this summer, and I haven't had such a batter pudding since
the last one you made yourself."

"You don't tell me they're goin' out o' fashion," said Serena, much
shocked. "I know some ain't got the knack o' makin' 'em."

Betty stood by, enjoying the conversation. Serena always said proudly
that a great light of intellect would have been lost to the world if she
had not rescued Mr. Leicester from the duck-pond when he was a boy, and
they were indeed the best of friends. Serena's heart rejoiced when
anybody praised her cooking, and she turned away now toward the pantry
with a beaming smile, while the father and daughter went up to the
garret.

It was hot there at this time of day; still the great elms outside kept
the sun from shining directly on the roof, and a light breeze was
blowing in at the dormer window.

Mr. Leicester sat down in the high-backed wooden rocking-chair, and
looked about the quaint little place with evident pleasure. Betty was
perched on the window-sill. She had looked forward eagerly to