"Yes, Una; he returned last night!"
"Oh!"
For a moment she said no more; her lips trembled with emotion, and her eyes shone through a mist of tears. Presently she said simply:
"God has answered Granfer's prayers at last."
Her father kissed her again and again.
"Was Granfer very delighted to see him?" she asked. "How did you know, father?"
Then he told her the whole story, how he himself was Granfer's son, and how he had gone to Lowercoombe Farm the night before and become reconciled to his father. She listened in silence, too amazed to utter a word, but there was a glad light upon her face and joy in her tremulous smile.
"So you see, Una darling, Granfer is your grandfather as well as Nellie's and Bessie's; and Mrs. Maple is my sister Mary, and your aunt," Mr. Manners said in conclusion. "They are so pleased to think that you are related to them, and I have promised that we will have tea at the farm this afternoon because it is Granfer's birthday, and he wishes it."
"Oh!" cried Una again, with a little gasp of astonishment. "Oh, how wonderful! Father, you only told me half the secret, after all! You never said you were Granter's son! I am so glad you are! Oh, dear Granfer, how pleased and happy he must be!"
"And I am happy too, Una, happier than I have been for many a long year. It was you who told me my father had forgiven me and wished to see me again."