ldn't have done it. It
didn't need any sacrifice to prove that you were glad to see me."

Shadrach winked over his shoulder.

"Don't let that sacrifice worry you any," he observed. "The sacrifice is
mainly in Zoeth's eye. Fur's I'm concerned--well, Jabez Hedges told
me yesterday that Rastus Young told him he cal'lated he'd have to be
droppin' in at the store some of these nights to buy some rubber boots
and new ileskins. We sold him the ones he's got four years ago and he
ain't paid for 'em yet. No, no, Mary-'Gusta, don't you worry about that
sacrifice. I can sacrifice Rastus Young's trade eight days in the week
and make money by it. Course I didn't tell Zoeth that; have to humor
these pious folks much as we can, you know."

Mary smiled, but she shook her head. "It's no use your talking to me in
that way, Uncle Shad," she said. "I know you too well. And right in the
Christmas season, too!"

Zoeth's welcome was as hearty, if not as exuberant, as Captain Shad's.
He met her at the door and after the first hug and kiss held her off at
arm's length and looked her over.

"My! my! my!" he exclaimed. "And this is our little Mary-'Gusta come
back again! It don't seem as if it could be, somehow."

"But it is, Uncle Zoeth," declared Mary, laughing. "And ISN'T it good
to be here! Well, Isaiah," turning to Mr. Chase, who, aproned and
shirtsleeved as usual, had been standing grinning in the background,
"haven't you anything to say to me?"

Isaiah had something to say and he said it.

"Glad to see you," he announced. "Feelin' pretty smart? Got a new hat,
ain't you? Supper's ready."

During the meal Mary was kept busy answering questions concerning school
and her life at Mrs. Wyeth's. In her letters she had endeavored to tell
every possible item of news which might be interesting to her uncles,
but now these items were one by one recalled, reviewed, and discussed.

"'Twas kind of funny, that young Smith feller's turnin' up for dinner
that time," observed Mr. Hamilton. "Cal'late you was some surprised to
see him, wan't you?"

Mary smiled. "Why, yes," she said, "but I think he was more surprised to
see me, Uncle Zoeth."

Captain Shad laughed heartily. "Shouldn't wonder," he admitted. "Didn't
bring any fly paper along with him, did he? No? Well, that was an
oversight. Maybe he thought fly time was past and gone. He seemed to be
a real nice kind of young feller when he was down here that summer. He's
older now; does he seem