"I'll allow as how I didn't expect you at all," he returned, with a grin.
"Well, you were mistaken. I'm back, and back to stay," said I.
My heart beat high as we turned into the side road that led to the Widow Canby's house. I strained my eyes to catch sight of the first one who might appear. It was my Uncle Enos. He was doing a bit of mending on the front fence. As soon as he saw me he threw down his hammer, and ran toward us.
"Well, well, Roger, struck port again, have you? Glad you're back."
And he shook my right hand hard.
"My friend, Mr. Harrison, from Chicago," said I. "This is my uncle, Captain Enos Moss."
They had hardly finished hand-shaking, when Kate and the Widow Canby came out of the house.
"Oh, Roger, I'm so glad you're back!" cried Kate. And then she looked earnestly into my eyes. "Did you—did, you&—"
"Yes, Kate, I've succeeded. Father's innocence can be proven."
"Oh, thank God!" cried my sister, and the tears of joy started from her eyes. I felt like crying, too, and soon, somehow, there was hardly a dry eye in the group.