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,