CHAPTER XVII.
CONCLUSION.
“Uncle Seth! Oh! is it you—truly—really—you darling Uncle Seth? Now, indeed, this is the most wonderful day in all my life! I am so glad—so glad!”
“Same little, dear, enthusiastic Dorothy! Well, my child, I reckon I’m as glad as you. But have you no greeting for your old acquaintance, Mr. Stinson? or a ‘Howdy’ for the doctor? He and I are old friends, let me tell you. I’ve known him since he was a mighty small boy.”
Dorothy released Mr. Winters and made her pretty obeisance to the gentlemen with him, while the good doctor added to his friend’s statement:
“Yes, indeed, since I was big enough to walk alone. It was he who taught me my letters, sent me to school at his own expense, gave me my start in life. What I don’t owe your grand ‘Uncle Seth’ couldn’t be told. But, hello! What’s up? Josephine? Eunice? So they’ve at last called upon my house-boat friends, have they? And—my eyes!”
As the three newcomers stepped to the ground and started across the gang-plank, the doctor did, indeed, rub his eyes and stare. He had not forgotten that this was the tenth anniversary of his wedding and knew that his wife would prepare some pleasant surprise for him, after her custom of celebrating, but he was more than surprised this time to see his father-in-law standing on the little deck, holding Eunice in his arms and—yes, actually smiling! But the physician was a man of few words. Shaking the Colonel’s hand in the most ordinary fashion he said: “Good morning, father;” and in that brief salutation the alienation of ten years was bridged, and was never referred to again by either side.
“Well, Cousin Seth. Better late than never;” was Aunt Betty’s characteristic greeting of her most trusted friend. But the light of relief that spread over her lovely old face was more eloquent than words.
Five minutes later, the doctor’s party had gone. Mrs. Calvert did just what Mrs. Bruce had prophesied she would—invited them all to dinner, but the invitation was declined.
“Our anniversary, you know. Cook has a grand dinner waiting for us at home and it wouldn’t do to disappoint her. Father, you get in with the doctor. Eunice and I will ride close behind. And look here, Wicky Stillwell! What’s to hinder you two boys, you and Corny, following along in your wagon yonder with the monkeys’ cage? You can share our fine fixings, just as we used when we were little and you ran away from home to ‘Joe’s,’ whenever there were ‘doings’ at the Manor House. Oh! I’m so happy! I feel like a little girl again and just be dear good little boys and come. Will you?”