The next day there was another raid. This time it was furniture. Florence and Edmund soon made their appearance.
"Oh!" exclaimed Hal.
"It is to be our gift," began Edmund. "Florence wished it so much! She feels that she took her pleasure when you were all toiling and suffering, and is better satisfied to make some amends. Besides, we have an interest in Dot and grandmother."
"And I am only going to put in the principal things," explained Florence. "There are so many that you will prefer to select yourselves."
The parlor and library, or sitting-room, were carpeted alike. The furniture was in green, with here and there a bright article to relieve it; a pretty book-case and writing-table, a console for Dot's small traps, easy-chairs in abundance, and every thing as pretty as it could be. The dining-room and kitchen were plain, but home-like, with an old-fashioned Boston rocker for Granny. But the three sleeping-rooms up stairs were perfect little gems,—Hal's in black-walnut, Granny's in quaint chestnut, and Dot's in pale green with a pretty green and white carpet to match.
"Why, I shall want them to come home right away!" exclaimed Hal. "O Flossy!"
"Dear, brave Hal! God has been good to us all. Only love me a little in return."
The last of August, Hal's household returned. He and Kit had provided for them a gorgeous supper, with the best china, and a bouquet at each plate. Granny could hardly believe her eyes or her senses. Dot and Charlie ran wild, and made themselves exclamation points in every doorway.
"Oh! Oh! Oh!"
"And the surprise!"