The highway they took was the one they had travelled when on their way to Hartford, and True’s spirits rose, thinking he might soon see his dear mother and Caesar. He would have so much to tell them of his experiences in the great world.
A feeling of keen content and happiness swept over him as he cantered easily along the banks of the stately Connecticut River, or stopped to graze on the rich abundant grass bordering the roadway.
’Twas at turn of day he felt a sweet nearness to his old home, and by a thousand familiar signs and senses he knew they were approaching. Plucking up all his courage and enthusiasm, he increased his speed and, almost breathless with joy, stopped at the familiar barn-door and whinneyed twice in the old way.
There was no response.
His heart sank; a sudden anxiety seized him.
Finally Caesar appeared and purred a soft welcome as he rubbed against his old friend’s leg. True made hurried enquiries as to his mother’s welfare, while Master Morgan gave “halloo!” for the inmates of the house.
“Alas,” mewed the cat, sitting down to wash his face, “things have changed since you went away. Your mother is sold into the South——”
“Into the South!” interrupted True, but Caesar saw nothing exciting in that, and continued, placidly:
—“and our master lies ill of the fever, our mistress ever at his side and no one to notice me at all. The stables are lonely, even the rats and mice have moved away for lack of food, for the garden and farm are grown up in weeds.” And he wiped his paw surreptitiously across his eye, curled himself up on a beam and fell asleep.
The responsive tears filled True’s eyes, and he would have roused the cat with other questions but at the moment Mistress Whitman opened the kitchen door. She offered Master Morgan friendly greeting, but when she caught sight of True she ran quickly out and threw her arms about his neck. Her old pet was equally glad to see her and thrust his muzzle into the folds of the white kerchief about her neck and made little affectionate sounds of greeting in reply.