talked of Laban and of Rachel and of South Harniss happenings
until the train drew up at the platform of that station. And upon that
platform stepped Albert to feel his grandmother's arms about him and her
voice, tremulous with happiness, at his ear. And behind her loomed Mrs.
Ellis, her ample face a combination of smiles and tears, "all sunshine
and fair weather down below but rainin' steady up aloft," as Captain
Lote described it afterwards. And behind her, like a foothill in
the shadow of a mountain, was Laban. And behind Laban--No, that is a
mistake--in front of Laban and beside Laban and in front of and beside
everyone else when opportunity presented was Issachar. And Issachar's
expression and bearings were wonderful to see. A stranger, and there
were several strangers amid the group at the station, might have gained
the impression that Mr. Price, with of course a very little help from
the Almighty, was responsible for everything.

"Why, Issy!" exclaimed Albert, when they shook hands. "You're here, too,
eh?"

Mr. Price's already protuberant chest swelled still further. His reply
had the calmness of finality.

"Yes, sir," said Issy, "I'm here. 'Who's goin' to look out for Z. Snow
and Co. if all hands walks out and leaves 'em?' Labe says. 'I don't
know,' says I, 'and I don't care. I'm goin' to that depot to meet Al
Speranzy and if Z. Snow and Co. goes to pot while I'm gone I can't help
it. I have sacrificed,' I says, 'and I stand ready to sacrifice pretty
nigh everything for my business, but there's limits and this is one of
'em. I'm goin' acrost to that depot to meet him,' says I, 'and don't you
try to stop me, Labe Keeler.'"

"Great stuff, Is!" said Albert, with a laugh. "What did Labe say to
that?"

"What was there for him to say? He could see I meant it. Course he hove
out some of his cheap talk, but it didn't amount to nothin'. Asked if I
wan't goin' to put up a sign sayin' when I'd be back, so's to ease the
customers' minds. 'I don't know when I'll be back,' I says. 'All right,'
says he, 'put that on the sign. That'll ease 'em still more.' Just cheap
talk 'twas. He thinks he's funny, but I don't pay no attention to him."

Others came to shake hands and voice a welcome. The formal reception,
that with the band, had been called off at Captain Zelotes's request,
but the informal one was, in spite of the rain, which was now much less
heavy, quite a sizable gathering.

The Reverend Mr. Kendall held his hand