"Oh!" cried Granny, "I'm willing to die now. I've seen him, my darling!"
"Why, Granny, that would be blackest ingratitude. Here I've lived through all my narrow escapes, and they have been enough to kill any ten men, and, by way of welcome, you talk of dying. Why, I'll run back, and jump into the sea!"
"She has been very sick," said Hal.
"But she means to get well now. Dear old Granny! We couldn't keep house without you."
They knew well enough then that it was Joe, and not a Christmas ghost; for no one ever did have such a rich merry voice, such a ringing laugh, and oh, the dear bright eyes, shining like an April sky!
Granny looked him all over. How he had changed! A great strong, splendid fellow, whose smiling face put new hope into one.
"I almost feel as if I could get well," she said weakly.
"Of course you will; for, Granny, I have the silk gown, and we'll have just the jolliest time there has ever been in this little shanty. But where are all the rest?"
"Kit is at work in Salem, and he meant to come home last night; but I suppose the storm prevented."