had spoken truly.

How beautiful were the orchards, with their blossom-laden trees! "Ah home
is home after all," thought Randy.

* * * * *

As she stepped from the car a shrill little voice cried,

"O Randy, my Randy! I thought you'd never come, but you did."

Randy held her little sister closely, and laid her cheek against the soft
curls. Then she turned to her father and saw a wealth of love in his eyes
as he said,

"_Now_ the home will be complete. It has been 'bout half empty with ye
away, Randy. I'm glad ye're home again. I ain't able to say _how_ glad,
an' Jotham, my boy, I'm glad to see ye, too. Ah, here's yer father. I
haven't a right ter a minute more er yer time."

With eager questioning Randy asked, "And mother and Aunt Prudence?"

"Oh they're feelin' pretty spry now the day's come fer ye to arrive.
They're full er preparations fer yer home-comin', an'--"

"An' the big cake has got pink frostin' on top of it, an' my dolly has got
on her best dress 'cause she knew you was comin', an' I've kept askin'
Aunt Prudence all day what time it was, an' how long it would be 'fore
you'd be here, an' Tabby's got a ribbon on her neck, an' the house an'
barn has been painted, an' the cars an' engine ride behind our barn now,
an' I guess that's all," said Prue, with a sigh, as if regretting that
there was so little news.

"Why that is a great deal of news," said Randy, "how did you remember it
all?"

"Oh, I've been savin' it up, purpose to tell you when you comed," said
Prue.

As they drove along the shady road toward home, they passed Jabez
Brimblecom who thus accosted Randy:--

"Wal, wal I'm glad ter see yer home agin, Randy, or must I say Miss
Weston, since ye've been to Boston?"

"Oh please call me Randy, or I shall think you are a stranger, instead of
an old friend."

"Wal, Randy it _is_ then, an' glad I be ter hear it. My wife said when ye
went off that she knew ye, an' that Randy'd be Randy anywhere 'n she's
'baout right 's usual."

Every one whom they met had a word of greeting for Randy, until she
exclaimed,

"Oh, it is almost worth while to go away, if everyone is to be so glad of
my return."

"And we're the gladdest of all," said Prue.

"Indeed we are," said Mr. Weston, "an' now, Randy, do ye see two women at
the corner of the wall? I tell ye, they couldn't wait 'til ye arrived at
the door."

Mr. Weston stopped Snowfoot, and Randy jumped from the wagon, an