ust make haste and
get all ready to welcome them home."

CHAPTER VII.

Happy he
With such a mother! faith in womankind
Beats with his blood, and trust in all things high
Comes easy to him.
TENNYSON.

What a coming home that was. Who could have guessed that any
ungrateful cause had had anything to do with it. What kisses,
what smiles, what family rejoicings at the table, what endless
talks round the fire. What delight in the returned Member of
Assembly; what admiration of the future Collegian. For nobody
had given that up; wishes were bidden to wait awhile, that was
all; and as the waiting had procured them this dear home-
gathering, who could quarrel with it. Nay, there was no eye
shaded, there was no voice untuned for the glad music of that
time.

"Well it's worth going away, to come back again, ain't it?"
said Mr. Landholm, when they were gathered round the fire that
first evening.

"No," said his wife.

"Well, I didn't think so last winter," said the father of the
family, drawing his broad hand over his eyes.

"I can tell you, _I_ have thought so this great while," said
Rufus. "It's -- it's seven or eight months now since I have
been home."

"Papa," said little Winifred, squeezing in and climbing up on
her father's knees, -- "we have wanted you every night."

"You did!" said her father, bending his face conveniently down
to her golden curls; -- "and what did you do by day?"

"O we wanted you; but then you know we were so busy in the
day-time."

"Busy!" said her father, -- "I guess _you_ were busy!"

She made herself busy then, for putting both arms round his
neck she pressed and kissed his face, till feeling grew too
excited with the indulgence of it, and she lay with her head
quite still upon his shoulder where nobody could see her eyes.
The father's eyes told tales.

"I think Winifred has forgotten me," observed Rufus.

But Winifred was in no condition to answer the charge.

"Winifred doesn't forget anybody," said her father fondly.
"We're none of us given to forgetting. I am thankful that we
have one thing that some richer folks want -- we all love one
another. Winifred, --I thought you were going to shew me that
black kitten o' your'n?"

"I haven't any kitten, papa, -- it is Asahel's."

"Well, let Asahel bring it then."

Which Asahel did.

"Have you looked at the cattle, Mr. Landholm?" said his wife.

"No -- not yet -- this is the first specimen of live stock I've
seen," sa