They all laughed at this, of course, and Dick was then introduced to Bobby's mother, his grandfather, and Bobby himself.
"Dick is the first patient of the Home," said Mrs. Rayburn, "and he does it credit. He is Mrs. Stevens's right-hand man now. Where and how is dear Mrs. Stevens?"
"She is well but could not leave to come to the train," said Dick. "She can hardly wait to see you, though."
"I do sincerely trust she has baked a bushel of cookies," said Ethelwyn, as they climbed into the wagon.
The approach to the Home was very beautiful. The sun was going down in a blaze of glory, and the wagon wound around the hill road to where the cottage, gay with flags and striped awnings, crowned its summit.
Then, above the roar of the sea and the clatter of hoofs, came the sound of children's voices calling from the broad piazza,
"Welcome home! Welcome home!"
Then a child's voice sang,
"To give sad children's hearts a joy,
To give the weary rest,
To give to those who need it sore,
This makes a life most blest."
As Bobby's grandfather helped the grown people out of the wagon—the children had climbed down without waiting for help—he cleared his throat once or twice.