ong now," answered Tom solemnly.
"I really haven't time, you know."

"I'm afraid, Tom, I can't trust you." And Mrs. Randolph Rover shook her
head sadly, but smiled nevertheless. She loved the jolly lad with all
her heart.

There was a warm greeting from Randolph Rover also, and then the boys
turned indoors, to greet faithful Alexander Pop and the others who
worked about the place.

"Yo' is a sight fo' soah eyes, 'deed yo' is, boys," said the colored
man. "I can't tell yo' how much I'se missed yo'!" And his face shone
like a piece of polished ebony.

"It's more like home than ever, to get where you are, Aleck," said Dick.
"You've been through so much with us you are certainly part of the
outfit." And at this Aleck laughed and looked more pleased than ever.

It was the day before Christmas, but in honor of their arrival there was
an extra-fine dinner awaiting them. Mrs. Rover had wanted to keep her
turkey meat for Christmas, so her husband, Anderson Rover, and Aleck had
gone into the woods back of the farm and brought down some rabbits and
a number of birds, so there was potpie and other good things galore, not
forgetting some pumpkin pies and home-made doughnuts, which Aunt Martha
prepared with her own hands and of which the boys had always been
exceedingly fond.

"I'll tell you what," remarked Tom, as he was stowing away his second
generous piece of pie, "the feed at the Hall is all right, but when it
comes to a real, downright spread, like this, the palm goes to Aunt
Martha." And Dick and Sam agreed with him.

There was, of course, much to tell about on both sides, and after dinner
the family gathered in the big sitting room, in front of a cheerful,
blazing fire. Mr. Anderson Rover listened with keen interest to what
his sons had to say about Jasper Grinder and Dan Baxter.

"I sincerely trust they do not plot against us," he said. "I am getting
old, and I want no more trouble."

"I don't believe Dan has the backbone his father has," answered Dick.
"And I believe Mr. Grinder is good deal of a coward."

"If only young Baxter would turn over a new leaf!" sighed Mrs. Martha
Rover. "I declare I'll not feel safe, on your account, until that young
man is taken care of."

The evening was passed in talking, singing, and playing games, and it
was not until late that all retired.

The Christmas to follow was not one to be easily forgotten. There were
presents for everybody, from Mr. Rover down to Sarah, the hired g