“Yes, Harry! Wonders will never cease! It’s the last thing in the world I expected.”
“What on earth does he say, after all these years?”
Then they both read the letter.
“And he’s coming here? Coming here? Well, wonders will never cease!” cried Mother. “Coming here! Dear, dear! just when things are at their worst, with the drought on and not a decent thing to give him to eat.... But fancy writing after all these years!...”
“What does he say there, again?”
Mother read aloud:
It’s wonderful how memories of the old days come back to one, and I would very much like to see you and Vera again, so if you can put me up for a week or so I shall be delighted to come. I know you are suffering from a very severe drought up there, but I trust that that will not make any difference, as I have to go away again shortly, and wish to see you and the children before I commence my journey.
I have about a week to spare, so I hope you can put me up for that time. We will have much to talk over when we meet. I suppose I can go by coach from the nearest township, and please don’t go to any trouble on my account.
And there was very much more in the same strain that Mother read with exclamations of wonder and amazement.
“Well, it’s the last thing I’d have thought of!” declared Father.
“It’s next week he means to come,” cried Mother. “Why, we’ll have to wire him.”