s. He turned to go.

"Another time, Mr. Kendall," he said. "Good morning."

But he had gone only a few yards when the reverend gentleman was calling
to him to return.

"Albert! Albert!" called Mr. Kendall.

He was obliged to turn back, he could do nothing else, and as he did so
the door opened. It was Helen who opened it and she stood there upon
the threshold and looked down at him. For a moment, a barely perceptible
interval, she looked, then he heard her catch her breath quickly and saw
her put one hand upon the door jamb as if for support. The next, and
she was running down the steps, her hands outstretched and the light of
welcome in her eyes.

"Why, Albert Speranza!" she cried. "Why, ALBERT!"

He seized her hands. "Helen!" he cried, and added involuntarily, "My,
but it's good to see you again!"

She laughed and so did he. All his embarrassment was gone. They were
like two children, like the boy and girl who had known each other in the
old days.

"And when did you get here?" she asked. "And what do you mean by
surprising us like this? I saw your grandfather yesterday morning and he
didn't say a word about your coming."

"He didn't know I was coming. I didn't know it myself until the day
before. And when did you come? Your father didn't tell me you were here.
I didn't know until I heard him call your name."

He was calling it again. Calling it and demanding attention for his
precious codfish.

"Yes, Father, yes, in a minute," she said. Then to Albert, "Come in.
Oh, of course you'll come in."

"Why, yes, if I won't be interfering with the housekeeping."

"You won't. Yes, Father, yes, I'm coming. Mercy, where did you get such
a wonderful fish? Come in, Albert. As soon as I get Father's treasure
safe in the hands of Maria I'll be back. Father will keep you company.
No, pardon me, I am afraid he won't, he's gone to the kitchen already.
And I shall have to go, too, for just a minute. I'll hurry."

She hastened to the kitchen, whither Mr. Kendall, tugging the fish
basket, had preceded her. Albert entered the little sitting-room and sat
down in a chair by the window. The room looked just as it used to look,
just as neat, just as homelike, just as well kept. And when she came
back and they began to talk, it seemed to him that she, too, was just as
she used to be. She was a trifle less girlish, more womanly perhaps, but
she was just as good to look at, just as bright and cheerful and in her
conversation she