After lunch, the train seemed to creep along rather slowly. But at last it stopped at the station where Grandma had promised to meet them. And sure enough, there stood Grandpa with his snowy hair and his big broad smile. Grandma was waiting nearby in the car.
It was late afternoon when they reached the old farmhouse, and Grandma soon had supper ready. After supper, Joyce helped to clear away the dishes; and then the little trunk was unpacked.
Grandma was watching keenly, to see if the children were lonely. "Now," she said briskly, "it is milking time. Run down the lane, children, and let the bars down for the cows to come through the lot; and we will give them a good drink of water."
Away scampered Joyce and Don; and soon the cows were standing at the trough and Grandpa was pumping water for them.
"Let us pump!" cried Joyce.
"Fine!" said Grandpa—"that will be your job every evening—to water the cows."
After that, they watched the foaming milk stream into the shiny pails; and then they all went into the house together. It was almost dark now; two sleepy children said their prayers, and Grandma soon had them tucked snugly in bed.
The Sting of the Bee
[Illustration: The Sting of the Bee.]
"Cock-a-doodle-doo!" called Don in a shrill voice, dancing into his sister's room.