The home-coming was one long to be remembered. Jessie was at the depot to greet Dave, and as soon as he alighted from the train she fairly rushed into his arms.
“Oh, I hope you never have to go to another war, Dave—never!” she cried, as he held her close.
“Well, I’m hoping, Jessie, that this war will prove to be the last one,” he answered.
Roger, as well as Ben, had come on to Crumville with Dave, and the greeting the senator’s son received from Laura was equally cordial, while Ben was not forgotten by his folks and the others.
Dave kissed his sister several times and shook hands with his father and his Uncle Dunston, and all finally got into the two Wadsworth automobiles and drove to the mansion.
Here Mrs. Wadsworth awaited them, and kissed Dave over and over again, and Mr. Wadsworth shook hands heartily. And there, too, was old Caspar Potts, his eyes full of a kindly sympathy which could not be mistaken.
“My Davy! My Davy!” he murmured over and over again. “I knew you would do it! Oh, Davy, how proud I am of you!”
“And just to think—it’s Captain David Porter now!” cried Uncle Dunston. “Some pumpkins for this family, I do declare!”
“And Lieutenant Morr—don’t forget that!” added Laura, her face beaming.
“And it’s Lieutenant Lawrence, too,” said Roger.