A little later they turned into the cedar avenue, and Eugenia could see the large white pillars of the porch.
"There they are!" she cried excitedly, and before the carriage stopped she was up the narrow walk and in the general's arms.
"Well, daughter! daughter!" said the general. His eyes were watery, and when Eugenia fell upon Miss Chris, he blew his nose loudly with a nervous wave of his silk handkerchief.
"I was obliged to come," explained Eugenia. "When I got your letter saying I might, I was so happy."
"Tom!" murmured Miss Chris reproachfully, but her eyes were shining and she laid an affectionate hand on her brother's arm.
The general blushed like a boy.
"I told her if she'd fully made up her mind to come, I'd—I'd let her," he stammered shamefacedly.
"Oh, I was coming anyway!" announced Eugenia cheerfully as she was clasped upon the bosom of Aunt Verbeny.
"Ain't you des' yo' ma all over?" cried Aunt Verbeny enthusiastically. "Is you ever see anybody so w'ite en' so' black in de same breff 'cep'n Miss Meeley? Can't I see her now same ez 'twuz yestiddy, stannin' right dar in dis yer hall en' sayin', 'You b'longs ter me, Verbeny, en' I'se gwine ter take cyar you de bes' I kin.'"
Aunt Verbeny fixed her eyes upon the general and he quailed.