On his return to Lafferton David was met at the train by the Judge, M’ri, and Barnabas.
“Your trunks air goin’ out to the farm, Dave, ain’t they?” asked Barnabas wistfully.
“Of course,” replied David, with an emphasis that brought a look of pleasure to the old man.
“Your telegram took a great load offen my mind,” he said, as they drove out to the farm. “Miss Rhody told me all along I need hev no fears fer you, that you weren’t no dawdler.”
“Good for Miss Rhody!” laughed David. “She shall have her reward. I brought her silk enough for two dresses at least.”
“David,” said M’ri suddenly at the dinner table, “do tell me for whose name those initials in the dedication to your book stand. Is it any one I know?”
“I hardly know the person myself,” was the smiling and evasive reply. 192
“A woman, David?”
“She figured largely in my fairy stories.”
“A nickname he had for Janey,” she thought with a sigh.